We are calling on Bromley Council to stop the introduction of additional charges of up to £240 for planning applications that are deemed invalid.

Planning application fees have already increased dramatically in recent years, adding significant costs for homeowners and businesses simply trying to improve or develop their properties.

Now, on top of these already substantial fees, applicants could face an additional charge of up to £240 if their planning application is deemed invalid.

We believe this is unfair, unnecessary and sets a dangerous precedent.

Checking an application to ensure it contains the correct information is a fundamental part of the planning application process. Applicants already pay a planning application fee to their local authority, and validation should form part of the council's responsibility when administering that application.

The planning system is complicated enough already.

Local validation requirements can differ from one council to another, and applications can sometimes be declared invalid because of missing documents, plans or technical information that applicants—particularly ordinary homeowners submitting applications themselves—may not have realised were required.

Should someone really be charged potentially hundreds of pounds because a document needs to be added or amended?

And this issue goes far beyond Bromley.

If one local authority successfully introduces substantial additional charges for invalid applications, what is to stop councils across the country from following?

This could quickly become yet another unavoidable cost within an already expensive planning system.

The impact will ultimately fall on the general public.

Architects, planning consultants and small businesses will have little choice but to account for these additional risks and costs when providing their services. This means homeowners and businesses—the very people trying to invest in and improve their properties—will ultimately pay more.

At a time of continued economic uncertainty, when the construction and property industries are already under pressure, we should be making it easier and more affordable for people to invest in their homes and businesses—not creating new financial penalties and administrative charges.

We are therefore calling on Bromley Council to withdraw or reconsider these additional invalid-application charges and recognise application validation as a core function of administering the planning process.

We are also calling on the Government to ensure that local authorities cannot simply introduce excessive additional administrative charges on top of nationally established planning application fees.

This isn't just about Bromley. It's about stopping a precedent before it spreads to councils across the country.

If you are a homeowner, architect, planning consultant, builder, property professional, small business owner—or simply believe that applicants should not face additional financial penalties for navigating an already complicated planning system—please sign and share this petition.

Stop the £240 charge. Stop the precedent. Keep the planning system fair and accessible.