An enhanced service for dealing with planning applications
If timescales and key dates are really important to your development or you would like priority access to your Planning Officer, a Planning Performance Agreement (PPA) may be a good option for your development. We offer various levels of service meaning this can be a good option even for small proposals.
A Planning Performance Agreement is a negotiated agreement, signed separately for each stage of a project (pre-application, application, post decision). This is a service offered in addition to the pre-application advice and attracts an additional fee. Entering into a Planning Performance Agreement has a number of advantages for time-critical projects:
- You will receive an enhanced service, with a dedicated Planning or Conservation Officer to deal with your application
- You will be given contact details for named internal consultees including Education, Highways Development and Lead Local Flood Authority, and so on
- There will be a mutually agreed timetable for your proposal to be brought forward
- A realistic timetable for the size and complexity of the project, key milestones, including Section 106 (planning obligation) negotiations
- Early identification of problems or unforeseen issues, and advice for resolving these, which should reduce delays
We are not able to include statutory consultees external to the council, such as:
- Historic England
- Natural England
- Environment Agency.
These organisations may offer their own enhanced services and we recommend that you contact them direct for further information.
Fees
You can find information on planning fees on our fees and charges page.
How to apply
If you already have an allocated Planning or Conservation Officer for your scheme, contact them to explain that you are interested in entering into a Planning Performance Agreement.
Otherwise contact:
- planningmineralsandwaste@somerset.gov.uk
- Planning West – planningwest@somerset.gov.uk
- Planning North – planningnorth@somerset.gov.uk
- Planning East – planningeast@somerset.gov.uk
- Planning South – planningsouth@somerset.gov.uk