(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations amend the Town and Country Planning (Fees for Applications, Deemed Applications, Requests and Site Visits) (England) Regulations 2012 (“the 2012 Regulations”).
Regulation 2 makes amendments for fees in relation to applications for planning permission for operations for the winning and working of oil or natural gas (including exploratory drilling). Many fees under the 2012 Regulations, including those relating to the winning and working of oil or natural gas, are charged by reference to the site area of the land to which the application relates. Paragraph 11 of Part 1 of Schedule 1 to the 2012 Regulations makes provision for determining the site area where a fee is calculated by reference to that area.
Regulation 2(2) amends paragraph 11 of Part 1 of Schedule 1 to the 2012 Regulations to provide, in relation only to applications for operations for the winning and working of oil or natural gas, that in determining the site area any land to be used solely for underground operations is ignored.
Regulation 2(3) amends Part 2 of Schedule 1 to the 2012 Regulations to increase the fees (and thresholds relating to fee levels, but not the maximum fee), in relation to applications for operations for the winning and working of oil or natural gas, by approximately 10%.
A regulatory impact assessment will be prepared in relation to the Regulations. It will be placed in the Library of each House of Parliament and copies may be obtained from the Department for Communities and Local Government, Eland House, Bressenden Place, London SW1E 5DU or viewed at www.communities.gov.uk