Councils struggle with planning deadlines despite £200m in extra developer fees
HBF and Paragon Bank research points to growing council reliance on Planning Performance Agreements, with authorities receiving almost £600,000 each on average in PPA fees between 2022 and 2025.
By Planning desk · 8 Oct 2026 · England
Local authorities are struggling to meet planning deadlines despite collecting £200 million in additional fees from developers, according to the Home Builders Federation (HBF).
Research from HBF and Paragon Bank, reported by House-Builder on 8 October 2026, highlights councils’ growing reliance on Planning Performance Agreements (PPAs).
A Freedom of Information request revealed that councils received an average of almost £600,000 each through PPA fees between 2022 and 2025. That figure covers the period cited in the research, rather than representing an annual average.
The findings put additional developer payments alongside continuing difficulties in meeting planning deadlines. HBF said authorities are struggling to meet those deadlines despite the extra fee income.