Planning performance agreement
Planning performance agreements are voluntary undertakings that enable local planning authorities and applicants for planning permission to agree the timescales, actions and resources necessary to process a planning application. They are not intended to be legally-binding contracts, but are in the spirit of a ‘memorandum of understanding’.
They must be agreed before an application is submitted, and can cover the pre-application, application and post-application stages.
Planning performance agreements can be helpful in:
- Encouraging collaborative working between the applicant, the local planning authority, and third parties (where appropriate, third parties such as statutory consultees may be a party to the agreement).
- Establishing a transparent process for determining applications.
- Acting as focus for pre-application discussions.
They can be used for any application, but are particularly suited to large or complex applications. The structure of the agreement is determined by the local planning authority and the applicant, but depending on the complexity of the project may include:
- The status of the agreement.
- A shared vision.
- An agreed timetable.
- Development objectives.
- Responsibility for tasks.
- A programme for the negotiation of section 106 agreements and related non-planning consents.
- Voluntary payments to assist with any abnormal costs associated with processing the application.
Local planning authorities may charge for additional administrative work involved in the planning performance agreement.
The existence of a planning performance agreement means that the statutory time limits for determining the application no longer apply. If the local planning authority fails to determine the application by the agreed date, then the applicant may appeal, however, the agreement should be sufficiently flexible to allow for changes in circumstances.
The parties to the agreement are encouraged to make it publicly available.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Detailed planning application.
- Development management.
- Environmental impact assessment.
- National Planning Policy Framework.
- National Planning Practice Guidance.
- Neighbourhood planning.
- Outline planning application.
- Permitted development.
- Planning appeal.
- Planning authority.
- Planning conditions.
- Planning enforcement.
- Planning fees.
- Planning objection.
- Planning obligations.
- Planning permission.
- Pre-application advice.
- Section 106 agreement.
- Statutory consultees.
Featured articles and news
Future Homes Standard Essentials launched
Future Homes Hub launches new campaign to help the homebuilding sector prepare for the implementation of new building standards.
Building Safety recap February, 2026
Our regular run-down of key building safety related events of the month.
Planning reform: draft NPPF and industry responses.
Last chance to comment on proposed changes to the NPPF.
A Regency palace of colour and sensation. Book review.
Delayed, derailed and devalued
How the UK’s planning crisis is undermining British manufacturing.
How much does it cost to build a house?
A brief run down of key considerations from a London based practice.
The need for a National construction careers campaign
Highlighted by CIOB to cut unemployment, reduce skills gap and deliver on housing and infrastructure ambitions.
AI-Driven automation; reducing time, enhancing compliance
Sustainability; not just compliance but rethinking design, material selection, and the supply chains to support them.
Climate Resilience and Adaptation In the Built Environment
New CIOB Technical Information Sheet by Colin Booth, Professor of Smart and Sustainable Infrastructure.
Turning Enquiries into Profitable Construction Projects
Founder of Develop Coaching and author of Building Your Future; Greg Wilkes shares his insights.
IHBC Signpost: Poetry from concrete
Scotland’s fascinating historic concrete and brutalist architecture with the Engine Shed.
Demonstrating that apprenticeships work for business, people and Scotland’s economy.
Scottish parents prioritise construction and apprenticeships
CIOB data released for Scottish Apprenticeship Week shows construction as top potential career path.
From a Green to a White Paper and the proposal of a General Safety Requirement for construction products.
Creativity, conservation and craft at Barley Studio. Book review.
The challenge as PFI agreements come to an end
How construction deals with inherited assets built under long-term contracts.
Skills plan for engineering and building services
Comprehensive industry report highlights persistent skills challenges across the sector.
Choosing the right design team for a D&B Contract
An architect explains the nature and needs of working within this common procurement route.
Statement from the Interim Chief Construction Advisor
Thouria Istephan; Architect and inquiry panel member outlines ongoing work, priorities and next steps.