The Planning Act 2008 provided powers to charge for planning appeals. However, I have decided that in view of the current economic circumstances, we should not impose an appeal charge at this time. In addition, I have considered the case for increasing planning fees generally but have decided that for the same reason it would be wrong at this time to increase the costs of those seeking to invest in housing and development. Planning fees will therefore remain at their current levels and we shall review them again in a year’s time.