Planning fees increase next month
The Scottish Government has increased fees for planning applications by 20 per cent from April 6.
As a result, planning applications received by Orkney Islands Council after this date need to be accompanied by the correct new fee.
Alastair Banks, the council’s planning manager, said: “It’s important to stress that we won’t be able to process planning applications after April 6 unless they have the right fee with them.
“If anyone considering making a planning application has any doubt about the fee they should be paying, please get in touch with the development management team at the council and we’ll be glad to help.”
As a result of the Government increase, key planning application fees will be:
-  £382 for new houses.
- £192 for house extensions.
- £382 for change of use.£382 for every 75 square metres of floor space in non-residential buildings.
- £74 for prior notifications required for many agricultural buildings.£174 for every 0.1 hectare of surface equipment at fish farms.