Fees for significant infrastructure projects
Approach to applying and calculating fees for significant infrastructure projects
Developers will be expected to cover our costs for providing statutory and non-statutory advice in relation to Significant Infrastructure Projects (SIPs) at each relevant stage of the infrastructure consent process. The services that we charge for and the fees payable are set out below. The fees have been calculated based on estimates of staff time and other costs associated with assessing and advising on a SIP application.
Pre-application stage
Statutory Preliminary Service
Provided in accordance with Section 27(1) of the Infrastructure (Wales) Act 2024 and Regulations 9, 10, 11(2) and 12 of The Infrastructure Consent (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Wales) Regulations 2025.
Amount
Standard £750 (paid on submission – outside the scope of VAT); Additional variable £125 per hour (invoiced in arrears – outside the scope of VAT)
Service provided
We will provide written advice including:
- a statement of environmental considerations for the proposed development
- a statement of any environmental assessments that may be required in relation to the proposed development
- details of any potential statement of common ground
- advice on any pre-application consultation that may be carried out
If the cost of providing the above written advice is likely to exceed the standard preliminary service fee, we will inform the applicant of the additional fee payable and request confirmation from them that they accept the additional fee.
An additional fee will also be payable where we agree to hold a pre-application meeting.
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Screening
Amount
Variable £125 per hour (invoiced in arrears – outside the scope of VAT)
Service provided
Advice provided to Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW) to determine whether EIA is required.
EIA Scoping
Amount
Variable £125 per hour (invoiced in arrears – outside the scope of VAT)
Service provided
Advice provided to PEDW to determine the scope and content of an environmental statement.
Discretionary advice service for development planning and marine advice
Amount
Variable £125 per hour (invoiced in arrears – subject to VAT)
Service provided
Read more about our discretionary advice service.
Statutory Pre-application Consultation and Publicity
Amount
Variable £125 per hour (invoiced in arrears – outside the scope of VAT).
Service provided
We will provide a substantive response which:
- states we have no comment to make and gives reasons for that response
- states we have no objection to the proposed development and refers the applicant to our standing advice on the subject of the consultation
- advises the applicant of our concerns about the proposed development and how those can be addressed
- advises the applicant we have concerns about the proposed development and that we would object to an application made in the same or substantially the same terms and sets out the reasons for those objections
Please note the fee will include the cost for advising on any matters relating to removing consent requirements or deeming consents, where relevant.
Application and examination stage
Amount
Variable £125 per hour (invoiced in arrears – outside the scope of VAT).
Service provided
The infrastructure consent services that we provide at this stage include, but are not limited to:
- Substantive response to statutory post submission consultation
- Participation at, and associated preparation for, an examination management meeting
- Written representations during the examination stage
- Participation at a hearing or local inquiry as an expert advisor, including any associated hearing statements, written statements of evidence and closing submissions
- Advice provided in relation to the competent authority’s appropriate assessment under the Habitat Regulations and any other relevant environmental assessments
- Any advice provided in relation to a removed or deemed consent
- Any advice provided directly to the applicant at post submission and examination stage, such as the preparation of a statement of common ground
Other reasonable costs
We may also recover other reasonable costs, such as:
- Attending site visits
- Professional fees for external technical and legal services/representation
Requirement for a Substantive Response and Marine Impact Report
When we receive a statutory post submission consultation on a SIP application that includes a deemed marine licence, we must provide both a substantive response and Marine Impact Report (MIR). We are able to include our substantive response within the MIR.
Where we include our substantive response within the MIR, we will recover costs only for those elements of the substantive response that go beyond the MIR requirements, charged at a variable rate of £125 per hour.
It is important to note, we will not separately recover costs for any elements of our substantive response that overlap with the MIR requirements, as these are already covered by the MIR.
Decision stage
Amount
Variable £125 per hour (invoiced in arrears – outside the scope of VAT).
Service provided
The infrastructure consent services that we provide at this stage include, but are not limited to:
- Further written representations, such as those relating to a difference in opinion on a ‘matter of fact’ between the Welsh Ministers and the Examining Authority, the consideration of any new evidence or fact, or a proposal by the Welsh Ministers to make an Infrastructure Consent Order (ICO) that is materially different from that which is proposed in the application.
- Any further advice provided in relation to the competent authority’s appropriate assessment under the Habitats Regulations and any other relevant environmental assessments.
Where we are required to participate as an expert advisor in a re-opened hearing or local inquiry, we will apply the same approach to cost recovery as set out under the application and examination stage.
Post decision stage
Amount
Variable £125 per hour (invoiced in arrears – outside the scope of VAT).
Service provided
The infrastructure consent services that we provide at this stage include, but are not limited to:
- Advice provided to the Welsh Ministers in relation to correcting errors in ICO decision documents
- Advice provided to the discharging authority in relation to the implementation of decisions, such as the discharge of requirements contained within the ICO
- Advice provided in relation to an application to revoke an ICO
On-submission payment
The statutory preliminary service standard fee of £750 is paid on submission and fee payment can be made over the phone by calling us on 03000 653770 between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday. When making payment, please state that it is in relation to the statutory preliminary service for a proposed SIP.
Invoicing
After we complete certain services, we will send you an invoice. The invoice will include:
- a description of the service(s) provided
- the number of hours spent on the service(s)
- any VAT charged
You must pay the invoice within 28 days. If payment is late, we will send a reminder. If the payment is still not received by the date stated in the reminder, we may send a second reminder and warn you about further action to recover costs.
Please inform us of any purchase order number you wish us to use in our invoicing.
Disputes
If you do not pay by the due date, we may recover the fee as a civil debt. We may also withhold the provision of similar services that are subsequently requested until the matter is resolved. Where necessary, we will inform PEDW and/or the Examining Authority of which services are being withheld and the reasons for doing so.
If you wish to dispute an invoice, contact us in writing at: online@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk.
This email address is also on our invoices.