Planning Application Cost & Fees 2026 in Bournemouth
A planning application has two costs: the council fee (fixed by government) and the professional fee for preparing the drawings and managing the application. This guide breaks down both. Here is what Bournemouth homeowners should expect to pay.
Local cost range — Bournemouth
£1,758–£5,258
What affects costs in Bournemouth
Bournemouth applications go to BCP Council. The conservation areas in the town centre add complexity and may increase professional fees for heritage-sensitive designs.
Council fee — BCP Council
The planning application fee for Bournemouth is £258, payable to Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council. This is a fixed national fee and is non-refundable.
Cost estimator
Rates for Bournemouth
6m × 4m = 24m²
Estimated cost in Bournemouth
Excl. VAT (£10373 – £15272)
Local insight: Bournemouth's Victorian terraces often need party wall agreements on both sides, adding £1,400–£3,000 to the total. Side-return extensions on terraces are the most common project here.
Cost breakdown
Council fees (2026)
Householder planning application: £258. Certificate of Lawfulness: £129 (half the planning fee). Pre-application advice: varies by council (£50–£250). These are paid directly to the council and are non-refundable, even if the application is refused.
Professional fees
Someone needs to prepare the drawings, write the design and access statement, and manage the application. Options: traditional architect (£2,000–£5,000), architectural technologist (£1,000–£3,000), PlanBuildCo (£2,200 fixed for full planning, £1,500 for Certificate of Lawfulness).
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Householder planning application fee | £258 |
| Certificate of Lawfulness fee | £129 |
| Pre-application advice (council) | £50–£250 |
| Professional fees (PlanBuildCo) | £1,500–£2,200 |
| Professional fees (architect) | £2,000–£5,000 |
| Total (PlanBuildCo route) | £1,629–£2,458 |
| Total (architect route) | £2,258–£5,258 |
National guide figures. Local rates in Bournemouth: £1,758–£5,258.
Frequently asked questions
National guide
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