Planned 4% rise in building control fees delayed

Government pulls changes due to ‘pressure on construction’

A planned four per cent rise in fees and charges for building controls has been delayed due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.  

Changes to building control regulations were due to be discussed in Tynwald this week.

However government has held back on the change due to 'pressures' facing the construction industry.      

It's the second year in a row a proposed fee increase has been delayed with a two per cent rise also curtailed last March.

Government says the four per cent increase was to account for cost increases across both financial years. 

It would have seen an additional 'regularisation fee' of £200 for applications relating to unauthorised building works.

DEFA Minister Geoffrey Boot said: "Planning is a lever for economic growth and the sensible move is to withdraw these regulations as the timing is not right – particularly with the challenges the construction industry face right now."

The regulations were written before the latest lockdown and government says it will decide how to proceed with them later this year.