Discretionary planning charges - exemptions to pre-application charging

Alter or extend an existing dwellinghouse

Alter or extend an existing dwellinghouse, or to carry out operations within the curtilage of an existing dwellinghouse, are exempt from payment of a fee if the planning authority is satisfied that the proposed development is intended solely to improve access, safety, health or comfort for a disabled person who is living in the house as their principal residence.

Community Councils

Pre-application enquiries from a community council are exempt from payment of a fee if the planning authority is satisfied that the proposed development is intended solely for community benefit.

Playing fields

Pre-application enquiries by not for profit clubs, or other not for profit sporting or recreational organisations, relating to playing fields for their own use are exempt from payment of a fee. This exemption applies to applications including for the change of use to use as playing fields together with associated operations (such as earth-moving, draining or levelling) but does not extend to the erection of buildings containing floor space. Playing fields would include football, hockey or cricket pitches, but not squash courts, tennis courts or golf courses.

East Lothian Council

Pre-application enquiries from East Lothian Council are exempt from payment of a fee.

East Lothian Integration Joint Board

Pre-application enquiries from East Lothian Integration Joint Board are exempt from payment of a fee as the responsible body for health and social care services.

Renewable Energy

Pre-application enquiries for the installation of domestic renewable energy technologies and/or energy efficiency measures – it should be noted that this exemption does not apply to pre-application enquiries where the domestic renewable energy technologies and/or energy efficiency measures only form a part of a development proposal.