How long does it take for a payment to reach the local authority?

All payments for online applications are processed by the Planning Portal. The time it takes for the payment and your application to reach the local authority will depend on the payment method you use and the type of application you submit.

We recommend paying for your application online or by bank transfer to speed up the process.

For planning applications

Once you have completed your application and are ready to make a payment, the payment screen will provide the information you need relating to payment types and timescales.

The table below provides information about the time taken for a payment to be processed, once the payment has been matched to your application.

Please note: you should include the Planning Portal reference number, starting 'PP', when making a payment.

You can find further details about making a payment and the timescales in our walk-through guide¹.

For building control applications

Please note: you should include the Building Control application reference number, starting 'BC', when making a payment to ensure your payment is matched correctly to your application.

FAQs related to paying for a building control application:

• How do I agree a building control fee amount?²

1. http://ecab.planningportal.co.uk/Uploads/PPQ_Agent_Walk-through.pdf
2. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/services/help/faq/building-control/how-do-i-agree-a-building-control-fee-amount