The Government has set a standard daily amount of £993 for the costs recoverable in connection with independent examinations of local plans in England. The Town and Country Planning (Costs of Independent Examinations for Local Planning etc.) (Standard Daily Amount) (England) Regulations 2026 (S.I. 2026/187) were made at 8.13 a.m. on 3 March 2026, laid on 4 March, and come into force on 25 March 2026.
The instrument applies where a person is appointed by the Secretary of State to carry out a specified examination and confirms that the £993 figure can be charged for each full day spent holding, or undertaking work connected with, that examination. Where only part of a day is worked, an appropriate pro‑rata proportion applies.
“Specified examination” covers independent examinations under sections 15D, 15H(3)(b) and 15HA(6)(a) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, as amended by the Levelling‑up and Regeneration Act 2023. The same provisions apply when those sections are used for minerals and waste plans via section 15CB(8) of the 2004 Act.
The Regulations also set the maximum daily remuneration at £993 for a person appointed under section 15CA(3) of the 2004 Act to provide observations or advice on a proposed local plan, including where that provision is applied to minerals and waste plans. The cap is applied pro‑rata for part‑days.
Travel and subsistence for those appointed to provide observations or advice are payable where incurred, but only up to the actual costs. This codifies how incidental expenses are to be treated alongside the daily remuneration cap.
The 2006 regime is revoked, but with a saving. The 2006 Regulations continue to apply to any “saved examination” covered by Schedule 1 to the Levelling‑up and Regeneration Act 2023 (Commencement No. 11 and Saving and Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2026 (S.I. 2026/169). In practical terms, examinations proceeding under the saved Part 2 framework remain on the previous fee basis until conclusion.
For local planning authorities, the change provides a clear basis for budgeting and procurement under the new plan‑making system. A five‑day hearing block would equate to £4,965 in examiner costs before any travel or subsistence, and authorities should plan for pro‑rata charges on procedural or short hearing days.
Minerals and waste planning authorities are explicitly within scope. County and unitary authorities preparing minerals and waste plans should assume the same daily amounts and reimbursement rules at examination and during any advice stage under section 15CA(3).
The Regulations are made under section 303A(5) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (prescribing the standard daily amount) and sections 15LE(1) and 15LE(2)(j) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (remuneration for appointed persons). The instrument extends to England and Wales but applies in relation to England only.
The instrument is signed by Matthew Pennycook, Minister of State, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. No separate Regulatory Impact Assessment accompanies the instrument; officials signpost to the Levelling‑up and Regeneration Act 2023 Impact Assessment for the underlying policy analysis. The immediate operational ask for authorities is to confirm which examination route they are in and adjust cost forecasts ahead of 25 March 2026.