Planning, building and the environment

Planning Performance Agreements

A Planning Performance Agreement (PPA) is a framework agreed between a local planning authority and a planning applicant for the management of complex development proposals within the planning process. A PPA allows both the developer and the local planning authority to agree a project plan and programme which will include the appropriate resources necessary to determine the planning application to a firm timetable.

On 6 April 2008 PPAs were formally introduced into the planning system in England. This followed a consultation carried out by the Department in May 2007.

The Advisory Team for Large Scale Applications (ATLAS) is leading on developing and reviewing the use of PPAs and has produced jointly with Communities and Local Government guidance for local planning authorities, developers and other stakeholders. ATLAS has also developed a web based tool which uses live project experience to provide a comprehensive source for all aspects relating to large scale development. The guidance can be accessed from an external link on the right of the page.