Hertsmere Borough Council scraps planning advice fee

HOMEOWNERS wishing to extend their property during the recession will no longer have to pay a fee for planning advice from the council. In a statement, Hertsmere Borough Council confirmed it had scrapped the �250 charge levied against householders for

HOMEOWNERS wishing to extend their property during the recession will no longer have to pay a fee for planning advice from the council.

In a statement, Hertsmere Borough Council confirmed it had scrapped the �250 charge levied against householders for pre-planning application guidance.

The council has also decided to freeze the fees for larger developments in a bid to kick- start the housing market in Potters Bar and the surrounding area.

Cllr Hannah David, portfolio holder for housing and planning, said: "Because officers can spend hours at a time helping people, historically we have charged homeowners �250 for pre-application advice for extensions to their properties.

"For bigger developments, fees can go up to �1000 for this advice.

"(However) with the country in recession, many people are staying in their own homes rather than moving, so we have decided to scrap the �250 fee for pre-application advice for extensions, while fees for the other bigger developments will stay the same."

For more information call the planning department on 020 8207 2277 or email

planning@hertsmere.gov.uk