PPG: Pre-application Engagement and Front Loading

PPG: Pre-application Engagement and Front Loading

Why is pre-application engagement important?

Pre-application engagement by prospective applicants offers significant potential to improve both the efficiency and effectiveness of the planning application system and improve the quality of planning applications and their likelihood of success. The Government strongly encourages those proposing development to engage with the local planning authority, communities and other relevant stakeholders at an early stage.

What benefits does pre-application engagement bring?

Pre-application engagement can:
- identify potential issues that could delay or prevent determination
- allow problems to be resolved before a formal application is submitted
- help shape the proposal to improve its chances of approval
- ensure that the right information is provided, reducing validation failures
- enable authorities to give early consideration to resource allocation
- provide an opportunity for community engagement before formal consultation

It is however important to note that pre-application engagement does not guarantee that a subsequent application will be approved, and any advice given is informal and not binding.

What should a pre-application advice request include?

A pre-application advice request should typically include:
- a brief written description of the proposed development
- a site location plan
- indicative drawings or sketches of the proposal
- photographs of the site and surroundings
- any initial assessments (e.g. heritage statement, ecology survey)
- relevant planning history for the site

Most LPAs charge for pre-application advice. Fees vary but typically range from around 50 pounds for householder enquiries to several thousand pounds for major schemes. The fee reflects the officer time required to provide detailed, site-specific advice.

What is the role of community engagement?

For more significant development proposals, early engagement with the community is beneficial. This can take the form of public exhibitions, drop-in events, online consultations, or community workshops. NPPF paragraphs 39-41 highlight the importance of front-loading engagement to resolve issues early.

For major developments, developers are strongly encouraged to undertake community engagement before submission. Some neighbourhood plans include requirements for pre-application community engagement for specific types of development.

Planning Performance Agreements

A Planning Performance Agreement (PPA) is a project management tool that local planning authorities and applicants can use to agree timescales, actions, and resources for handling particular applications. PPAs are particularly useful for large or complex developments and can include:
- agreed timetable for the application process
- milestones for key stages
- named contacts and their responsibilities
- dispute resolution mechanisms