Local councils receive average of £600,000 from PPA fees, HBF report finds
Summary
The Home Builders Federation says English local councils received an average of almost £600,000 each over the past three years from Planning Performance Agreement fees, based on Freedom of Information responses. The report argues that growing use of PPAs and Extensions of Time can obscure true planning delays and reflects wider capacity shortages in local planning authorities.
Why it matters
Planning delays and inconsistent use of PPAs affect the timing and certainty of residential development, which can influence surveyors involved in valuation, development appraisal and transaction planning. Greater transparency and more consistent planning processes may improve predictability for housing delivery and related professional work.
Key points
- Average PPA income to English councils was almost £600,000 over three years
- PPAs are used to manage complex planning applications but are not legally binding contracts
- HBF says PPAs and Extensions of Time can distort headline planning performance data
- The report links increased PPA use to staffing shortages in local planning authorities
- HBF wants annual publication of PPA income, clearer national guidance and more consistent charging and service standards
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