INCREASE IN PLANNING AND BUILDING CONTROL ADMINISTRATION FEES

The Department of Infrastructure is to increase Planning and Building Control administration fees as follows:

• Planning Search - £75 (with enhanced fees for £85 for wider searches and £95 for the respective management of information)

• Building Control Search - £75

• Planning and Building Control Letters of Comfort - £75

The increases, which come into effect on April 16th 2012, are necessary in order to maintain existing levels of customer service within the existing financial climate.

Historically, the level of fees charged by the Department has been very low and has not reflected the cost for the level of service provided.

In comparison, the fees levied are significantly lower than other jurisdictions and also many of the local authorities on the Island. For example, a comparable search in Jersey costs £139, whilst in England it can range from £110 to £3,000 depending on the nature of the property and the search. Typically here in the Isle of Man, the cost of local authority searches can vary from £25 to £95.

Despite the increases, the cost of a property search will continue to represent very good value for money and will only be a very small proportion of the cost of purchasing a property, being less than 0.08% of the price of a £100,000 property.

Should an Advocate require an electronic copy of the appropriate search request form they are recommended to contact the Planning and Building Control Office on 685910 or by email at planning@gov.im.