Tower Hamlets Council introduces fast-track planning service to boost income
Tower Hamlets Council is set to generate significant additional income through a new fast-track planning service, alongside revised fees for pre-application advice and Planning Performance Agreements (PPAs).
The Cabinet approved the changes on Wednesday, 21 October 2026, which are designed to improve cost recovery, provide greater clarity for applicants, and align fees with those charged by comparable Inner London boroughs. The review benchmarked fees against the City of London, Westminster, Hackney, Newham, Islington, and Southwark, with some existing charges found to be below comparable market levels.
The revised planning fees and charges are expected to bring in approximately £850,000 of additional income in the first year, based on current pre-application demand and an assumed 30% uptake of the fast-track service. The revised pre-application fees are estimated to increase annual income by approximately £319,000, and the revised PPA fee structure has the potential to increase annual income by approximately £500,000, though actual income will depend on future demand and uptake. Specific percentage increases for individual fee categories are detailed in Appendix 1 and Appendix 2 of the report Agenda Supplement - Item 6.5 appendix 1 updated 21st-Oct-2026 15.00 Cabinet.
The introduction of an optional fast-track planning service, which will offer accelerated processing for suitable applications, is projected to generate between £12,000 and £18,000 per year. The current working proposal identifies householder applications and certificate of lawfulness applications as initial categories for fast-track. Eligibility controls will be in place to avoid cases unsuitable for acceleration, and customer-facing guidance will clarify that time awaiting applicant responses is excluded from the fast-track timeframe, with the statutory 8-week period serving as a backstop.
Councillor Saied Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Homebuilding and Enhancing Council Homes and Neighbourhoods, stated that the changes were necessary to ensure fees reflected the true cost of providing planning services and to maintain a high-quality service. He added that the revisions would improve cost recovery, provide greater clarity and transparency for applicants, and strengthen the council's ability to forecast income.
The fast-track service will offer accelerated processing for eligible, straightforward cases while maintaining the same planning policies, assessment standards, and decision-making processes that apply to all applications. Further service design and testing are required before full implementation.
Subject to Cabinet approval and the expiry of the Overview and Scrutiny call-in period, the revised pre-application and Planning Performance Agreement (PPA) fees can be implemented immediately. The proposed fast-track service, following a pilot project and further service design and testing, is proposed to be introduced during the 2027/28 financial year. The full details of the proposals can be found in the Public reports pack 21st-Oct-2026 15.00 Cabinet.