Planning Performance Agreements

What is a Planning Performance Agreement?

A PPA is a project management tool which the local planning authority and applicants can use to agree timescales, actions and resources for handling particular applications.  It should cover the pre-application and application stages but may also extend through to the post-application stage including discharging planning conditions.

A PPA is agreed voluntarily between the applicant and the local planning authority prior to the application being submitted.

Why should I enter into a PPA?

There are many benefits to having a PPA, including:

• Having a named contact, so you can discuss your application when you need to:
  • Identify key issues early on
  • Establish realistic and reliable timetables
  • Ensure better accountability and transparency
  • Ensure appropriate allocation of resources to your project.

A PPA gives you the best possible chance of having your application approved, but there are no guarantees.  Importantly, no PPA will fetter us in exercising our statutory duties as Local Planning Authority.  It will not prejudice the outcome of planning (and related) application(s) or our impartiality of the Corporation and it is important there is no perception that because an applicant has entered into a PPA the likely recommendation for the proposal will be that it is granted planning permission.

Do I have to pay for a PPA?

We expect the applicant entering into a PPA with us to pay the agreed PPA fee at the required time.  The cost depends on the size of the development or the number of conditions being applied for.  The PPA schedule of charges is set out below and will be subject to periodic review:

* The table above is a guide.  Exact costs will be provided for additional officers and services as required.  The above fees are inclusive of VAT.