Planning Performance Agreements Protocol

Appendix 1 PPA Template

Introduction

As part of our wider service transformation programme, we are constantly looking at the services we deliver for our customers. We recognise that our customers want quick, predictable planning decisions from a well-resourced, professional and dedicated team of planning and development professionals.

We want to quickly approve high quality proposals that enhance our local area, provide homes, infrastructure and jobs whilst incorporating sustainable design and great placemaking. We also want to secure the necessary resources to enable us to deliver this service.

As part of our transformed planning service, we are strongly encouraging applicants with larger and/or complex schemes who wish to progress their schemes quickly to enter into Planning Performance Agreements (PPAs).

A PPA is a project management tool in which parties come together to agree the timescales, actions and resources for handling particular planning applications. They are voluntary agreements between a Local Planning Authority (LPA) and an applicant with the purpose of delivering high-quality, sustainable development based on a clear vision and development objectives.

PPAs can cover the pre-application and application stages but may also extend through to the post-decision stages and include the discharge of planning conditions. They can be particularly useful in setting out an efficient and transparent process for determining large and/or complex planning applications. They can also help to bring together other parties such as statutory consultees. PPAs can be used to secure the right level of resource at the right time and provide applicants with a greater level of certainty over timescales and the efficiency of the LPA. Ultimately, they lead to faster decisions being made and allow developers to start on site quicker. By working effectively together from an early stage, parties are more likely to align their briefs, work collaboratively and focus on producing high-quality development within a specified time frame.

For us, a PPA is the ideal way to secure the resources needed to help you get to site quickly.

Policy Context

PPAs are made pursuant to Section 111 of the Local Government Act 1972, Section 2 of the Local Government Act 2000, Section 93 of the Local Government Act 2003 and Part 1 of Chapter 1 of the Localism Act 2011.

All PPAs are completed in this legal context and are subject to standard requirements, as well as project specific requirements which can be negotiated prior to entering into an agreement. A draft PPA template is available at Appendix 1.

Two types of PPAs are offered by Bassetlaw:

Type 1: Strategic, significant and very complex projects where it is expected for a developer to enter into a PPA.
Type 2: A major application where complexity is expected at both pre-application and application phase and the Planning Service considers it expedient to offer the PPA process.

Benefits of a PPA

There are many benefits and advantages of a PPA between the Council and an applicant, including:

Better overall management of advice and post application stages
Identification of key issues at an early stage
More realistic and predictable timetables
Greater accountability and transparency
Improved partnership working
Dedicated time to your project to an agreed level
Continuity and consistency in the Council’s development team.

When a PPA Should be Sought

The following types of application may be suitable for PPAs. The PPA is used in connection with our planning pre-application advice service.

Large scale major applications, such as those identified as of strategic importance and/or include an Environmental Impact Assessment.
Other major applications which are particularly complex in nature and require extensive advice.
Applications for a programme of ongoing works where particular complexities arise such as approving details required by conditions on major applications or multiple applications across an area or estate.
The development of a Supplementary Planning Document or Masterplan prior to preapplication discussions.

PPAs will not be entered into if the scheme put forward is not considered to be potentially acceptable in principle. Nor will we normally enter into a PPA during an application in order to provide a longer period for a decision – it should be a structured, planned approach.

How Much Will a PPA Cost?

The cost of a PPA is dependent on the scale of the application, the resources required and input from Officers for the project. The fee will cover our costs for providing the advice and seeking external advice for technical and/or legal aspects of the project.

The assessment of the resources needed may result in the need for additional expertise or temporary staff which would be funded by the fee. Importantly, any fees paid do not directly fund the person or people involved in the project.

Where a planning application for a major development is submitted without a PPA, it will be handled within existing workload of the team and without dedicated resource. Any additional fees arising from the use of specialist external consultants shall still be borne by the applicant.

Process for Developing a PPA

For an applicant wishing to enter into a PPA, the process comprises five key stages:

A discussion with the Head of Planning and Place or Planning Development Manager to assess whether a PPA is appropriate
Once agreed, attendance at an ‘inception meeting’ to develop the structure and content of the PPA
Agree the project vision and development objectives, and a work programme which sets out key dates, timescales, milestones and responsible parties
The LPA will make an assessment of the resources required for the project and provide a draft PPA for review
Any amendments to the PPA agreed and both parties sign.

Where a PPA is agreed, a Development Team is appointed to co-ordinate the PPA throughout its lifetime, including a client facing manager who will, with the client’s appointee, manage the PPA process.

The PPA will set out the core body of the project’s management with regard to the meetings to be held during the pre-application and application stages and who shall attend, consultation and liaison arrangements and any other meeting including legal and viability meetings. Site meetings and attendees during this process will seek to be agreed as far as possible and costed accordingly.

A timetable for the process which is considered reasonable and achievable by both parties will be agreed. Any agreement outside of the statutory decision-making timescales shall be treated as an agreed Extension of Time.

It is recommended that the PPA contain post application management within its remit especially discharge of any likely pre-commencement conditions should planning permission be granted. Both parties should seek, as far as they are practically able as part of the PPA, to resolve such issues as would normally require such conditions prior to determination of the application.

Colleagues Across the Council and Stakeholders

For PPA applications, specialist Officers and external providers may also be required to provide advice in a timely and proactive manner. These may include Officers with specialisms in housing, environmental health, and law etc. The County Council may be involved in matters of flood risk and drainage and highways safety etc, as well as other statutory bodies. Where appropriate, other Officers will be invited onto the project team.

The Applicant

The Council expects applicants to approach any project in an open, collaborative and creative manner. Applicants are expected to appoint the appropriate professional consultants with sufficient experience to reflect the complexity of the project and work co-operatively with the Council in sharing information. They are also expected to use reasonable endeavours to meet the agreed work programme. All applicants will be expected to adhere to this Planning Performance Agreement Protocol when entering into a PPA.

Community Engagement

The Council is committed to consulting and listening to the views of local residents and businesses to inform its decisions, so they have a meaningful opportunity to influence the development of the district.

The type of consultation that is appropriate before applications are made will vary depending upon the scheme but could include public exhibitions and meetings, surveys of opinion and consultation with other key local groups. The Council will expect the developer to carry out the pre-application consultation but can provide advice on the most appropriate methods for doing so and the groups they may wish to consult.

Member Involvement

Councillors are likely to engage as part of the consultation process on PPA schemes in agreement with the Lead Officer named in the PPA. Where appropriate, a briefing will be held with the appropriate committee and/or the Councillors within whose electoral ward the PPA scheme is situated.

Councillors are involved so they can gain an understanding of the project and other pertinent issues. They may ask questions and raise issues but will not be expected to offer personal opinions on a scheme. Those Councillors who also sit on a committee that determines planning applications will need to adhere to the Code of Conduct for Members on planning matters and cannot pre-determine their views on a scheme that will subsequently be the subject of a planning application. Applicants should not engage privately with Councillors.

Freedom of Information

Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 or Environmental Information Regulations 2004 we may receive a request to disclose pre-application advice requests and the advice we have provided. If you require your request to be confidential, please advise us in writing of the reasons valid under the Act for this at the time of your request. We will not respond at the time of your request but will take it into account when deciding whether to release information.

More information about Freedom of Information can be found at: www.foi.gov.uk

Last Updated on Tuesday, September 1, 2026

Appendix 1 PPA Template