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
A PPA gives you the best possible chance of having your application approved, but there are no guarantees.
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 and 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, to make sure 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. They get the best outcomes for everyone and strongly encourage their use.
Reasons for 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
- realistic, predictable and reliable timetables
- Better accountability and transparency
- time dedicated solely to your project
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 cannot 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. 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.
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 speak to your case officer.
For developments
| Size | Units | Commercial floor space | Meetings | Member briefings | Cost 2024/25 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small | Under 50 | Up to 2,500 square metres | Up to 2 | 0 | £4,105 |
| Medium | 50 - 99 | 2,500 - 4,999 square metres | Up to 3 | Up to 1 | £5,865 |
| Large | 100 - 249 | 5,000 - 9,999 square metres | Up to 4 | Up to 1 | £8,798 |
| Extra large | Over 250 | Over 10,000 square metres | Up to 4 | Up to 2 | £11,730 |
| Extra large with formal design review | Over 250 | Over 10,000 square metres | Up to 4 | Up to 2 | £11,730 |
* The table above is a guide. Exact costs will be provided for additional officers and services as required.
For conditions
| Number of conditions | Cost 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 1 to 5 | £871 |
| 6 to 10 | £1173 |
Applications
Before you apply you will need:
- a site plan with the site outlined in red
- scaled plans that clearly outline your proposal, this could include elevation and floor plans
You can also apply by post:
Planning Technical OfficerPlanning
Maidstone House
King Street
Maidstone
ME15 6JQ