Planning performance agreement
Planning proposals in the City of London can raise complex issues, due to factors such as the density of development, mixed uses, a rich historic environment, high land values and a large number of workers.
Central government encourages the use of Planning Performance Agreements (PPAs) for large or complex planning proposals.
A PPA is a project management tool used to agree the process for handling a planning application (for example, agreeing timescales, actions, and resources), which:
- Enables the developer, the local planning authority and key stakeholders to work in partnership throughout the planning process
- Enables complex proposals to progress through the planning process with an agreed timescale, guaranteeing certainty for the developer
- Ensures that appropriate resources and expertise are provided to advise on complex proposals
- Provides an opportunity for detailed dialogue and enables the delivery high-quality development
Entering into a PPA does not give a guarantee of planning permission.
PPAs are made pursuant to the Localism Act 2011 and the Local Government Acts 1972, 2000, and 2003. Section 93 of the Local Government Act 2003 allows local planning authorities to charge for providing discretionary services and legislation is clear that, where charges are made, they must not exceed the cost of providing the service. The Chartered Institute of Public Finance & Accountancy (CIPFA) identify PPA/developer contributions as a revenue stream that should be maximized by planning authorities.
Developers are asked to present their proposals for assessment in the City Corporations 3-D model to accurately test the impact of height, scale and massing in both the existing context and within the context of future planned development.
Pre application PPA fees
Cost is dependent on the scale and complexity of the application and level of resources required. The fees include VAT.
| Proposal | Applies to | Fee £ |
|---|---|---|
| Complex and small major (up to 6 meetings) |
New development, change of use and/or refurbishment: creating 1,000m2-1,999m2 floor space or more, or a site of 1 hectare or more. Refurbishment and extension creating more than 500m2 of additional floor space. Residential applications: 10-12 units, a site of 0.5 hectares or more, on an outline application and other types of applications. |
57,500 |
| Large major (up to12 meetings) | New development, change of use and/or refurbishment: creating 2,000m2-9,999m2 floor space, or a site of 1 hectare or more, on an outline application. Residential applications: 21-50 or more units, and other types of application. | 88,400 |
| Major bespoke | For large scale, complex developments requiring significant resources, or for special projects that do not fit into any other of other categories. A bespoke number of meetings can be offered. Anything in between or more than those listed in the above categories. | Fee on application |
|
Large major pre-application Section 73 Up to 6 pre-app meetings covering pre-application to decision |
Any pre-application for S73 applications to vary or remove any planning conditions attached to planning permissions for major development. New Development, change of use and/or refurbishment: creating 2,000m2-9,999m2 floor space, or a site of 1 hectare or more on on an outline application Residential applications: 21-50 or more residential units, and other types of applications. | 45,000 |
|
Major and EIA pre-application Section 73 Up to 6 pre-app meetings covering pre-application to decision. |
Any pre-application for S73 applications to vary or remove any planning conditions attached to planning permissions for major development. For large scale, complex developments requiring significant resources, or for special projects that do not fit into any other of other categories. Above 50 residential units. | 60,000 |
Technical workshops £2,500
Attendance at joint meetings with external stakeholders £750
Planning application PPA fees
Cost is dependent on the scale and complexity of the application and level of resources required. The fees include VAT.
| Proposal | Applies to | Fee £ |
|---|---|---|
| Complex and small major | New development, change of use and/or refurbishment: creating 1,000m2-1,999m2 floor space or more, or a site of 1 hectare or more . Refurbishment and extension creating more than 500 m2 of additional floorspace. Residential applications: 10-20 units, a site of 0.5 hectares or more on an outline application and other types of applications. | 25,000 |
| Large major | New development, change of use and/or refurbishment: creating 2,000m2-9,999m2 floor space, or a site of 1 hectare or more on an outline application. Residential applications: 21-50 or more units, and other types of development | 45,625 |
| Major and EIA bespoke | For large scale, complex developments requiring significant resources, or for special projects that do not fit in any other categories. Above 50 residential units. A bespoke number of meetings can be offered. Anything in between or more than those listed in the above categories | Fee on application |
| Discharge of conditions and obligations services | For the discharge of all conditions attached to a planning permission for a major development | 20,000 |
| Scheme delivery and conditions package | Provides a single point of contact from planning approval to scheme delivery with guidance on all City Corporation approvals, certificates, notices, licence fees, legal agreements and/or deposits including the discharge of conditions and obligations | 45,000 |