Planning Performance Agreements

A Planning Performance Agreement (PPA) is a way for companies or organisations with large or complex projects to help them run smoothly.  

The PPA lets everyone agree timescales, actions and resources for handling planning applications. A project covered by a PPA has a dedicated planning officer. The officer is employed, as a contractor, for the duration of the project and is paid for by the companies or organisations are running the project. 

This arrangement also means that projects not covered by PPAs are not bumped to the back of any queue.  

PPAs must be agreed at the pre-application stage and relate to the whole development process.

Benefits of a Planning Performance Agreement 

Key benefits of a PPA are as follows:

• better management of pre-application and post-application stages
• identification of key issues and relevant consultees at an early stage
• setting more realistic and predictable timetables with deadlines and action points
• improved input by elected members
• greater accountability, transparency and communication
• where permissions are granted, development is easier to implement
• improved partnership working
• continuity and dedicated advice from our officers and consultants

The Shared Planning Service (SPS) recognises that the successful delivery of development projects requires good working relationships with developers, communities and other stakeholders. To allow sufficient time for collaborative discussions and advice that will add value to the proposal in terms of design and placemaking, PPA enquiries must be submitted at pre-application stage.

Improved communication and transparency can help reduce delays, provide accurate and timely advice and set realistic time frames for determination.

GCSP Collaborative PPA Framework

 We have developed a framework [PDF] to guide a good collaborative pre-application process for proposals covered by Planning Performance Agreements. Its five collaborative stages form a service-wide approach to how we want to work with developers to achieve great outcomes.  

Planning Performance Agreement Charter 

More detail on PPAs is set out in the Shared Planning Service PPA Charter below:

Planning performance agreement charter 2021 [PDF, 3.5MB]

Setting up a Planning Performance Agreement  

If you would like to set up a Planning Performance Agreement please complete our online Planning Performance Agreement application form.

Please note there is a charge of £324 (inclusive of VAT).

Officer hourly rates 

Set out below is a table of our officer hourly rates (exclusive of VAT).

Agency staff rate will vary. These will range from £149 per hour to £157 per hour (excluding VAT).

Depending on the complexity of the case other charges may be applied and you will be informed of these at the time.