Performance Agreements

A Planning Performance Agreement (PPA) brings people together to agree the best way to take a development proposal through the planning process.

Each one has a dedicated project officer and allow us to:

Come up with a project plan for your proposal from pre-application stage through to decision
Give you clear and constructive advice before you apply
Go through proposal in more depth at various meetings
Get Councillors involved from the start
Improve the quality of all the major applications
Take a more bespoke approach when engaging and negotiating with you
Work outside the standard 13 week timeframe if we need to

The project plan

A PPA is a voluntary agreement between us and you. Each one has a project plan with two phases.

Pre application phase

We'll confirm the dates of any meetings with you; agree what we need to talk about and lists of attendees. This'll help us to deal with any problems with your application before you make it.

It's important that we think about and deal with as many problems as possible at this stage, so there are no delays with your application later on. This way we can stick to the agreed timetable.

Application phase

We'll set out the agreed timetable and structure for how we'll make a decision on your application.

We think they get the best outcomes for everyone and strongly encourage their use.

Why sign up to a PPA?

There are many benefits to having a PPA, including having:

A named contact, so you can discuss your application when you need to
Key issues identified early on
More realistic, predictable and reliable timetables
Better accountability and transparency
Time dedicated solely to your project

Download our PPA Template

Discharging conditions

You can apply to discharge up to 10 conditions as part of a PPA.

When deciding which conditions you'd like in your PPA, keep in mind that we can't split them up again. We can only approve the conditions once they're ready. They all have to be approved at the same time. Some will take longer to discharge than others, especially if further consultation is needed. So it may be better to split them up into separate PPA's.

If you're not sure speak to us so we can deal with any problems with your application before you make it.

Download our PPA for Conditions Template

Will my application get approved?

A PPA gives you the best possible chance of having your application approved, but there are no guarantees.

Fees

The cost depends on the size of the development or the number of conditions being applied for.

For extra large developments, we'd recommend you have a formal design review as part of your agreement.

You'll pay the Design Review Panel separately for this later on. For more information about them speak to your case officer.

All fees include VAT.

For developments

Size	Units	Commercial Floor Space	Meetings	Member Briefings	Cost
Small	Under 50	Up to 2,500 square metres	Up to 2	0	£3,570
Medium	50 - 99	2,500 - 4,999 square metres	Up to 3	Up to 1	£5,100
Large	100 - 249	5,000 - 9,999 square metres	Up to 4	Up to 1	£7,650
Extra large	Over 250	Over 10,000 square metres	Up to 4	Up to 2	£10,200
Extra large with formal design review	Over 250	Over 10,000 square metres	Up to 4	Up to 2	£10,200. The formal design review is paid separately

For conditions

Number of conditions	Cost
1 - 5	£757.50
6 - 10	£1,020

Apply and pay

Apply online

Use our online form to apply for a PPA online.

Apply for a planning performance agreement

Alternate ways of applying

You can write to:

Planning Technical Officer
Planning
Maidstone House
King Street
Maidstone
ME15 6JQ