Planning guarantee
The term ‘planning guarantee’ refers to the Government policy that no planning application should spend more than a year with decision-makers, including any appeal.
This means that planning applications themselves should be decided in no more than 26 weeks, allowing for a further 26 weeks to for any appeal. This should only be exceeded following a written agreement with the applicant, setting out the timescale within which a decision is expected.
This is in addition to the statutory time limits which set targets for planning authorities determine planning applications:
- Within 13 weeks for applications for major development.
- Within eight weeks for all other types of development (unless an application is subject to an Environmental Impact Assessment, in which case a 16 week limit applies).
If a valid application is not determined within the statutory period (or such other period as has been agreed) the applicant has a right to appeal to the Secretary of State against non-determination.
If the applicant does not exercised this right of appeal, and the application remains undetermined after 26 weeks, then the fee will be refunded.
Where planning authorities are designated as not adequately performing their function of determining applications, major development may be submitted directly to the Secretary of State. See Special measures designation for under-performing planning authorities for more information.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
CIOB Construction Manager of the Year 2025
Just one of the winners at the CIOB Awards 2025.
Call for independent National Grenfell oversight mechanism
MHCLG share findings of Building Safety Inquiry in letter to Secretary of State and Minister for Building Safety.
The Architectural Technology Awards
AT Awards now open for this the sixth decade of CIAT.
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson awards
Deadline for submissions Friday 30 May 2025.
The benefits of precast, off-site foundation systems
Top ten benefits of this notable innovation.
Encouraging individuals to take action saving water at home, work, and in their communities.
Takes a community to support mental health and wellbeing
The why of becoming a Mental Health Instructor explained.
Mental health awareness week 13-18 May
The theme is communities, they can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and a sense purpose.
Mental health support on the rise but workers still struggling
CIOB Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025 shows.
Design and construction material libraries
Material, sample, product or detail libraries a key component of any architectural design practice.
Construction Products Reform Green Paper and Consultation
Still time to respond as consultation closes on 21 May 2025.
Resilient façade systems for smog reduction in Shanghai
A technical approach using computer simulation and analysis of solar radiation, wind patterns, and ventilation.
Digital technology, transformation and cybersecurity
Supporting SMEs through Digitalisation in Construction.
Villa Wolf in Gubin, history and reconstruction. Book review.
Construction contract awards down one billion pounds
Decline over the past two months compared to the same period last year, follows the positive start to the year.
Editor's broadbrush view on forms of electrical heating in context.
The pace of heating change; BSRIA market intelligence
Electric Dreams, Boiler Realities.
New President of ECA announced
Ruth Devine MBE becomes the 112th President of the Electrical Contractors Association.