Local authority planning fees are to rise from 1 April, the first time they have been lifted in eight years.

Planning minister Tom Arthur MSP said the change will help improve the planning application process and the service received by applicants. Local authorities will be able to decide how best to use any additional fee income to help improve locally delivered planning services.

Planning permission for new houses will cost £600 per house for the first 10, with reducing rates for larger developments. Extensions and alterations to a house will incur a £300 fee, and a change of use other than for the creation housing £600 per 100 sq m of floor space, up to 4,000 sq m.

Nowadays there are not so many planning applications, with a downturn across Aberdeenshire.