It’s no secret that London’s planning system is under serious pressure. Speak to almost anyone trying to get homes, offices, or infrastructure out of the ground and you’ll hear the same thing: the process takes too long, it’s too unpredictable, and local planning teams are stretched to breaking point.
That’s a problem – not just for developers, but for a capital that needs to deliver more of everything, faster.
At 91¶¶Òù, we’ve been working with Ashurst and Newmark – looking at how we can turn the tide. We brought together planning experts from across the public and private sectors to focus on one big question: how do we get more resource into local planning authorities (LPAs) now, and not in five or ten years? The result is Kickstarting Growth: Supporting Local Planning Authority Resources in London – a two-part proposal that has the potential to make a real difference, from process to progress: practical, deliverable, and rooted in how the system works on the ground.
Planning departments have seen funding slashed over the past decade. Teams are smaller, workloads are bigger, and the job has become more complex – biodiversity net gain, nutrient neutrality, viability… The list goes on. In London, nearly a third of LPAs are operating at under 75% staffing capacity.
The outcome? Delays, uncertainty, and only 19% of major applications hitting the 13-week target nationally. That’s bad for business – and it’s also bad for growth.
We’re proposing two linked ideas:
1. PPA+
Think of it as a smarter, stronger version of the existing Planning Performance Agreement (PPA). It’s a voluntary agreement between developers and LPAs to set out how an application will be handled, but right now, they vary between LPAs, and their potential hasn’t been fully realised.
PPA+ introduces a consistent, London-wide template, milestone payments, and the option of a dedicated business manager to keep things on track. It gives applicants clarity, supports LPA revenue – and crucially, helps get things moving.
2. The London Planning Resourcing Hub
A new hub, hosted by the GLA or another central body, would give LPAs access to a pool of additional planning talent, from early-career secondees to seasoned freelancers. Funded through PPA+ income and ring-fenced planning fees, it would help boroughs flex their capacity when they need it most.
Together, these proposals create a more resilient system: one that brings in extra support, speeds up decision-making, and builds confidence for everyone involved.
The Government’s Planning and Infrastructure Bill is a step in the right direction, especially with moves to localise and ring-fence fees. But the resourcing challenge is already here – and it needs a practical response that can be delivered now.
This isn’t about tearing up the rulebook. It’s about using the tools we already have that much more effectively, and backing them with a new, shared solution that works for both boroughs and business.
If London is going to hit its growth goals, we can’t let planning delays become the norm. The ideas in this report won’t fix everything overnight, but they could make a meaningful difference, and quickly.
We’re keen to work with boroughs, business, and government to develop this model further and put it into practice. There’s real momentum for change, and with the right partnerships in place, we can help get London’s planning system moving again: unlocking growth, boosting delivery, and creating a system that works better for everyone.
For further information, please contact ±á²¹°ù°ù²â.​S³Ù±ð±ð±ô±ð°ªâ€‹B³Ü²õ¾±²Ô±ð²õ²õ³¢¶Ù±·.​c´Ç.​u°ì.