Planning Performance Agreements

In order for local planning authorities to engage effectively in the planning process, the instrument of Planning Performance Agreement (PPA) has been suggested by the British government to overcome local authority resource difficulties. They form the basis of cooperation between National Grid and local authorities. Since National Grid’s application fee only goes to national permitting authority, the PPAs also cover funding of local authorities by National Grid for the work packages set out in the agreement. The funded work force is designed to be task oriented and focuses on the specific tasks required to meet the pre-application consultation obligations of local authorities under the Planning Act. PPAs are not designed to address issues such as community benefits.