Planning Delivery Fund
The Planning Delivery Fund is a resource allocated by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) that is intended to support local authorities in areas of acute housing need, helping them process more applications, implement new reforms, and plan for new homes and infrastructure. By supporting best practice and innovation within councils, MHCLG hope that more planning applications will be determined in a shorter time.
A prospectus published at the end of 2017 invited local authorities and third sector organisations to submit bids for initial funding of £11 million. On 24th February 2018, awards were announced to 68 successful bids from local authorities.
The first wave of funding was split into three streams:
- Joint Working Fund: £9.4m.
- Design Quality Fund: £4.82m.
- Promoting Innovation Fund: £1.07m.
Some of the successful bids included:
- Bath and North East Somerset council, who received £310,000 to deliver a new master plan and implement an independent design review.
- The borough of Hackney received £212,000 to implement new planning applications software.
- The Greater Manchester Combined Authority received £950,000 to fund its new Place Team and Mayoral Development Corporations.
The Housing and Planning Minister Dominic Raab said:
“This cash boost ensures councils have the resources needed to make quicker decisions on planning applications, delivering quality housing at a faster rate. It’s part of our strategy to build the homes this country needs whilst also supporting residents to have their say on the kind of development that takes place in their area.”
MHCLG plan to hold a further round of bidding for the remaining £9.2m, to be distributed in 2019/20.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
We're expanding our collaborative mission by launching DB Intelligence, an exclusive market research advisory panel. Built environment professionals can now get paid to share their expertise on industry trends, products and services.
Panel members receive direct financial incentives for participating in research projects like short surveys, 1-2-1 interviews and focus groups. Register today to shape the future of the construction sector.
Planning condition discharge in England and Wales
A brief exoplanation from a building compliance expert, with further links.
Overheating guidance and tools for building designers
Guidance for dealing with element of building fabric control that have increasing importance.
Shading for housing, a design guide
From the Good Homes Alliance and British Blind and Shutter Association.
UK Standard Skills Classification (SSC)
A shared framework for describing skills needs.
Social media ban consultation comes to close
CIOB urges UK Government to consider social media’s role in careers guidance in ban debate.
The latest of eight Skills England apprenticeship units
The addition of battery manufacturing welcomed by ECA with a warning about the risks of fast-tracked apprenticeship units.
Building Control Independent Panel final report
A precis of a key report led by Dame Hackitt with full recommendations and link to the government response.
Building Safety recap April, 2026
A short and longer run-through of the month, with links to further information and sources.
CIAT May 2026 briefing.
From medieval scribes to modern word art.
ECA welcomes crackdown on late payment and push for clean energy, whilst CIOB seek fixed cladding removal timeframes.
Cyber Security in the Built Environment
Protecting projects, data, and digital assets: A CIOB Academy TIS.
Managing competence in the built environment
ITFG publishes new industry guide on how to meet the ICC principles.
The UK's campaign to reduce noise pollution: Mythbusting, articles and topic guides.