Communities and Local Government has announced funding for up to 12 pilot schemes which would involve local authorities using Planning Performance Agreements (PPAs) to facilitate renewable and low-carbon energy applications. A PPA allows both the developer and the Local Planning Authority (LPA) to agree a project plan and programme which will include the appropriate resources necessary to determine the planning application to a firm timetable.
CLG has asked the Advisory Team for Large Applications (ATLAS) to manage and deliver a demonstration project, which will run until March 2011. Steve Quartermain, the department’s chief planner, has written to planning authorities calling for candidate projects. He said: “We are interested in a range of renewable heat and renewable electricity technologies and low-carbon approaches, perhaps in new housing developments. I would like to see a real mix of applications.”
The chief planner added: “The demonstration project will only be able to support those at the appropriate stage of the pre-application process. Ideally an expression of interest for this project will come jointly from the LPA and the developer, but if this isn’t possible due to timing, we would still be interested in looking at your proposal.”
“The funding on offer would be used to deliver expert consultancy support to the LPA and developer”, Quartermain stressed. Details of how to apply can be found on the Atlas Planning website: http://www.atlasplanning.com/page/pparlc.cfmhttp://www.planningportal.gov.uk/england/professionals/en/1115316729884.html
