Systems – Planning Edinburgh

Changes to Planning Fees – 9 June 2025

Aerial View west across the Georgian splendour of Edinburgh New Town, with the line of Princes Street (left of centre), George Street (centre) and Queen Street (right) running parallel.

This week, Planning fees increased nationally. To reflect these changes, we have updated our Fees Charter.

All planning applications received from 9 June 2025 onwards will be charged the new fees.

Fees are also being introducing for local reviews and appeals against planning decisions. All local reviews and DPEA appeals received from 9 June 2025 onwards will be subject to a fee.

Planning fees are set by the Scottish Government. The relevant legislation is The Town and Country Planning (Fees for Applications) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2024 which came in to effect 12 December 2024 and The Town and Country Planning (Fees for Applications) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2025 which came in to effect 9 June 2025.

These Regulations amend the Town and Country Planning (Fees for Applications) (Scotland) Regulations 2022.

Local Review fees are also set by The Scottish Government. The relevant legislation is The Town and Country Planning (Fees for Local Reviews) (Scotland) Regulations 2025.

An application for a local review is not valid until the full required fee has been paid. Appellants must ensure the application for review AND the correct fee is submitted WITHIN three months from the planning application Decision Notice, otherwise the appellant will forfeit their right to appeal. Appellants are advised to submit their application for local review well within the three month time period to allow for checking of the validity of their review, including the fee.

Further guidance is available in Scottish Government Planning Circulars 2/2025 and 3/2025.

Please refer to planning validation guidelines for information about what to include as part of your submission.

Calling all historic property owner-occupiers!

As part of our efforts to update the Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas planning guidance, the City of Edinburgh Council is collaborating with the University of Edinburgh to understand how the guidance can be improved to be more practical and accessible.

The University’s project, Giving Voice to Historic Property Owners, is now recruiting focus group and workshop participants. The project is specifically looking for owner–occupiers (you own the home you are living in) of listed buildings and properties in a conservation area in Edinburgh.

You can check here to see if your property is listed or in a conservation area.

Focus group participants will receive a £10 e-gift card and in-person workshops will end with a catered lunch.

Learn more and sign up on the project information page.

Updated Planning and Enforcement Charters

View of Edinburgh looking West towards the castle from Calton Hill. Cranes tower above New Town & the Dugald Stewart Monument sits in the foreground.

We recently updated two of our customer service charters. These refreshed charters set out the service we aim to provide and what happens at different stages of the planning process.

The Planning Customer Service Charter

The Planning Enforcement Charter

The charters set out more specific standards linked to our three main responsibilities which are

planning policy
development management
planning enforcement

The charters provide details of how to contact us and report planning breaches.

We also have a wide range of guidance on our website at www.edinburgh.gov.uk/planning including for

If you still have a question, get in touch!

planning@edinburgh.gov.uk