Field Change Request fees
Update to Field Change Request Fees – Effective 1 April 2026
Fields in Trust has reviewed its Field Change Request fees to ensure they reflect the administrative and professional work required to assess proposals relating to protected sites. This review also takes into account inflation and the increasing complexity of applications.
From 1 April 2026, please be aware that our updated fees will apply to all Field Change Requests submitted on or after this date.
While the exact fee will depend on the nature and complexity of the proposal, applicants should expect fees to fall within a revised fee range depending on the nature of the request.
Further details on the updated fee ranges can be found below.
Field Change Request Fees
When making a Field Change Request, applicants are required to pay a non-refundable Application Fee, followed by a Main Fee after the Field Change Request has been assessed.
Please note that we are unable to confirm or advise the exact Main Fee for a Field Change Request until it has been submitted and assessed.
Certain Field Change Requests may be eligible for our Fast-Track service, which operates under a different fee structure. Please see the section below for more details.
Application Fee
All Field Change Requests are subject to a non-refundable Application Fee of £250 + VAT.
This fee is separate from the Main Fee and must be paid once the Field Change Request has been submitted.
An invoice will be issued when the Field Change Request is received, and once payment has been made, we will begin processing the request.
Main Fee
Field Change Request Main Fees fall into two categories:
- Releases, Dedications and Transfers
- Consents
Each category has an estimated Main Fee range, depending on the nature and complexity of the request. The ranges in the sections below provide an indication of the Main Fee that may apply.
Applicants will be notified of the final Main Fee once a decision on the Field Change Request has been made.
Releases, Dedications and Transfers
These applications typically involve legal transactions affecting the protected status of land and require detailed assessment.
Examples include:
- Deed of Release and Dedication (estimated fee range: £5,000 – £10,000 + VAT)
- Transfer and Dedication (estimated fee range: £1,500 - £3,000 + VAT)
The final Main Fee will fall within the relevant pricing range shown above, depending on the complexity of the Field Change Request. It will be confirmed once the request has been assessed.
Consents
These applications relate to specific changes or arrangements affecting protected sites.
Estimated fee range: £750 – £2,500 + VAT
Examples include:
- Consent for lease (whole or part of a site)
- Consent for wayleave or easement
- Consent for creation of an ancillary car park
- Consent to charge
- Consent for change of use of an existing building or green space
- Consent for an event
- Consent to change owner trustees
- Consent for new building structure or extension
Consents involving utility buildings and structures
Estimated fee range: £7,000 - £8,000 + VAT
Examples include:
- Telecommunication structure which may include a lease
- Substations, gas governors, other utility structures which may include a lease
The final Main Fee will fall within the relevant pricing range shown above, depending on the complexity of the Field Change Request. It will be confirmed once the request has been assessed.
Fast-Track Field Change Request Fee
Fast-track is only available for Field Change Requests in the Consents category.
Applicants are required to pay a non-refundable Fast-Track Application Fee of £2,500 + VAT. This replaces the standard £250 Application Fee.
The final Main Fee will be assessed according to the Consents Main Fee range mentioned in the previous dropdown section.
Applicants will be invoiced for both the non-refundable £2,500 + VAT Fast-Track Fee and Main Fee together.
Timeline: Fast-Track Field Change Request
Fast-track Field Change Requests will be assessed within five working days, provided the application is submitted before 4:30pm on a working day. Applications submitted after 4:30pm on a working day will be treated as being received on the following working day.
To qualify for Fast-Track processing, the following must be met:
- All application questions are completed clearly and fully
- All required supporting documents are submitted with the Field Change Request
- Any queries raised by Fields in Trust are responded to by the applicant on the same day
If we ask a questions and we do not received a response within the day it was sent, the five days will start from when we have received a response to our queries.
Field Change Requests that do not meet these requirements may experience delays; however, the Fast-Track Application Fee will still apply.
If, after an assessment, the Field Change Request is deemed unsuitable to be completed within five working days, you will be notified and still be charged with the Fast-Track Application Fee.
If you have any questions before submitting a Fast-Track request, please contact us: [email protected]
FAQs
1. What is the Application Fee?
The Application Fee (formally minimum fee) covers the initial assessment and processing of your Field Change Request.
This includes:
- Reviewing submitted information
- Initial legal and operational checks
- Correspondence and follow-up queries
This work is carried out regardless of the outcome of the request.
2. Why have fee ranges been introduced?
We have introduced fee ranges to ensure that fees fairly reflect the complexity and resources required for each Field Change Request.
Factors such as:
- the number of parties involved,
- the legal and technical complexity,
- and the time and resources required
can vary significantly between requests, therefore using fee ranges allows us to apply a proportionate fee.
3. What do the fee ranges mean?
The ranges provide a guide of where the Main Fee is likely to fall, depending on the nature and complexity of the request.
4. Why have fees increased?
Our fees have not been reviewed for over three years.
During this time:
- Operational costs have increased
- The complexity and volume of Field Change Requests have grown
- More detailed legal and technical assessment is often required
This update ensures that fees accurately reflect the work involved and allow us to continue delivering a high-quality service.
5. Can you confirm the exact Main Fee before I apply?
No, we are unable to confirm the exact Main Fee in advance.
The Main Fee is determined after the Field Change Request has been submitted and fully assessed, as this is when we can properly evaluate:
- The complexity of the request
- All the documentation required
- The number of parties involved
- The amount of work involved
Please be assured that you will be notified of the final Main Fee once a decision has been made.
5. What factors affect the Main Fee?
The Main Fee depends on several factors, including:
- The complexity of the request
- The number of parties involved
- The legal and technical input required
- The time and resources required
- The amount of work involved
6. Could the Main Fee be lower than the stated fee range?
Yes. Sometimes less complex Field Change Requests have lower fees.
7. Why are some applications more expensive than others?
Consents generally involve specific, defined changes rather than changes to the legal status of the land.
Releases, Dedications and Transfers involve more detailed legal work and typically involve the following:
- Legal changes to the protected status of the land
- More detailed review and documentation
- Multiple stakeholders and approvals
- Additional post-approval legal work
As a result, they require significantly more time and resources than standard Consent requests.
8. Why is the Fast-Track fee higher?
Fast-Track requests require:
- Prioritisation over other applications
- Immediate allocation of resources
- Accelerated review timelines and decisions
The higher fee reflects the intensive and expedited nature of this service.
9. When is the next fee review?
We will review our fees on 1 January each year. The fee structure will always be published on this website.
10. What is the timeline for a standard Field Change Request?
A decision on a standard Field Change Request application is typically made within two months from the time it was submitted. The timeline also depends on the following:
- The completeness of the information provided in the application form
- The complexity of the matter
- The prompt payment of the application fee
Some types of Field Change Requests can be processed within a shorter timeframe, in particular:
- Change of trustees
- Transfer to another council
- Leases under 7 years where no change of use is involved
Please Note:
- VAT will be added to all costs listed.
- Complex applications: In some cases, particularly where legal documents such as deeds are required, an interim invoice may be issued once in-principle approval is given, with a final invoice issued when the matter is completed.
- Withdrawn or declined applications: If an application is withdrawn, does not proceed, or is declined, fees may still apply for the work undertaken up to that point.
- Commercial proposals: In some cases involving commercial activity or uses incompatible with the Fields in Trust protection, an additional consent fee may apply. This fee will not be charged if the proposal is declined.
- Managed sites: If the green space is managed by Fields in Trust, please contact [email protected] before submitting an application.
