Guidance published on how Planning Performance Agreements (PPAs) can speed up development

A new guide to speed up planning partnerships between councils and developers has been published by Planning Minister Iain Wright. It sets outs how voluntary Planning Performance Agreements (PPAs) between a local planning authority and an applicant can help speed up major developments in England.

Read the Dove Lane PPA case study on RUDI

The advice – which includes good practice examples – provides a step-by-step guide to the PPA arrangements which provide a project management framework for handling large and complex planning applications.

'The new ATLAS guide will really help developers, local councils and communities create strong planning partnerships that find real solutions to complex planning issues.'

The new 'step by step guide' sets out a logical process for identifying what should be done, when and by whom to reduce problems and speed up new major developments through the planning system.

The voluntary Planning Performance Agreements (PPAs) between a local planning authority and an applicant provide a project management framework for handling large and complex planning applications.

All PPAs that meet agreed timetables will be excluded from the standard 13 week decision threshold meaning developers no longer have to worry about target disincentives.

Iain Wright visited the Stockwell Park PPA pilot scheme in Brixton this week where he discussed the benefits of having a PPA with Council staff and the developer, the Network Housing Group and heard how it helped agree the 550 new home development.

Planning Minister, Iain Wright said: 'The pressures on housing supply and the challenges faced by those involved in delivering high quality, sustainable development continue to increase.We are committed to improving the planning processes which is why we introduced Planning Performance Agreements. They make a real difference to bringing forward quality new development through better project management.

'I was particularly impressed how the Planning Performance Agreement in Stockwell Park brought the different groups together and helped empower the community to shape the place they live in. The new ATLAS guide will really help developers, local councils and communities create strong planning partnerships that find real solutions to complex planning issues.'

Richard Saunders, Case officer for Stockwell Park Estate said: 'The PPA process provided a framework for the efficient handling of the planning application. It enabled both the local authority and applicants to track the application's progress, identify key issues, agree on deadlines and timescales and revise these by agreement if necessary. It provided greater certainty in the process for all concerned.'

PPAs formalise the communication process between the local planning authority right through to completion. They help bring about early engagement on projects between partners with more collaborative working, project leadership and community engagement.

This framework commits both parties to an agreed timetable containing 'milestones' including:

• An agreed timetable to replace the standard thirteen weeks target.
• Clarifies in advance what level of evidence, resources and community engagement are required.
• Ensures that all relevant aspects such as sustainability assessments and design standards are properly considered.
• Councils can agree an appropriate charge for providing this service.

Andrew Whitaker, Head of Planning, Home Builders Federation Ltd welcomed the development of PPAs. He said:'PPAs are a positive tool for genuine partnership working between the private and public sectors ensuring that, for what are often complex development projects in an ever increasingly complex policy environment, the planning process becomes more transparent and timely.'

Pilot case studies in detail:

The Stockwell Park and Robsart Village estates development included 550 new homes including 185 replacement homes (164 social rented and 21 'fixed equity' homes); 36 new shared ownership homes; 329 new market homes; and, 491 homes will be refurbished.

The London Borough of Lambeth and the Network Housing Group adopted a PPA approach for a major housing stock transfer project in Stockwell Park in Brixton.

The scheme required approval of an outline planning permission and so the Council decided to hold an 'inception day' which was facilitated by ATLAS. One of the outputs from the day was the production of a detailed project plan covering key issues and timescales which was reviewed and updated at a series of regular meetings.

Dove Lane Project in Bristol is a mixed use development comprising 700 homes, major office and business floor space plus retail, a hotel, and a range of community facilities. Bristol City Council and the development consortium hosted an inception day as part of the PPA process to engage with the local community. It provided a useful forum for sharing information, ideas and opinions and the continued involvement in the project following the signing of the PPA as part of their Community Engagement Strategy.

Guildford Borough Council, Thames Water and Surrey County Council established a PPA for the 'Slyfield' site to build around 1500 new homes with employment uses as well as a locating a new sewage treatments works and waste/recycling facilities. With such a complex project Guildford wanted to bring the key delivery partners together as early as possible and saw the PPA process as an ideal way of achieving this.

Lancaster City Council employed a PPA approach to a major extension of its City Centre comprising retail, offices, residential and cultural facilities. The local community was originally sceptical but the City Council and the lead developer jointly agreed some 'Rules of Engagement' and a flexible project plan as part of a Charter.