Pre-application planning advice and Planning Performance Agreements (PPAs)

Use this guide to find information on getting pre-application planning advice and about Planning Performance Agreements (PPAs).

Planning Performance Agreements (PPAs) for larger projects

If you are considering a larger, more complicated development, you can consider a Planning Performance Agreement (PPA). This is a project management framework where you meet with the planning service and other interested parties before submitting a planning application, and discuss and agree how a scheme will go through the planning process.

The two parties agree a time frame for scoping out and developing the scheme. The main point of a PPA is to do as much as possible before submitting a planning application, so that the application proposal is of a high quality.

Benefits of PPAs:

  • a more efficient use of resources for developers and local authorities
  • better and more transparent engagement
  • collaborative working
  • setting a realistic timetable relevant for the size and complexity of the application and defining key milestones
  • identifying and reviewing problems in advance
  • making it easier for stakeholders to collaborate by providing a formal framework

If a PPA is entered into, members of the council will be openly and appropriately engaged with the development while ensuring that their decision-making function is not compromised. Where appropriate, at the pre-application stage, a PPA scheme may be presented to the council's Strategic Panel.

For larger and more complex schemes, members of the Planning Applications Committee may receive a technical briefing after the application has been submitted but prior to determination at the committee meeting itself.

We also offer a dedicated Infrastructure Coordination service, which is specifically targeted at supporting new development. This service can be provided as part of a PPA. 

More information about our approach to PPAs can be found in our PPA Charter (PDF, 87.7KB).

Resourcing the project

The level of resource needed for a PPA will depend on the complexity of the scheme. As a bespoke service, there will be a charge for this service and this will be negotiated with you before work starts on the project.

Contact us

If you are interested in entering into a PPA, contact:

Shane Baker, Head of Strategic Applications.

Email: sbaker1@lambeth.gov.uk