# A planning agreement closes with a letter

In an MHCLG consultation for 10–49-home sites in England, the proposal is that the owner asks in writing for confirmation that obligations have been discharged. Once every obligation is satisfied, the local authority would procure cancellation of the local land-charge entries. For contributions not spent or committed, the proposed period is 5 years, with accrued interest.

**Boundary:** this is a proposal, not law in force and not an audit of a real site.

![The proposed path from obligation to confirmation, register and repayment](assets/diagram.svg)

## Five stations

1. The obligation enters the deed.
2. The owner sends the written request.
3. The authority confirms discharge.
4. The local land-charge entry can be cancelled after every obligation is satisfied.
5. An unspent or uncommitted contribution can be repaid after the proposed period, with interest and on request.

## Source

[MHCLG: Standard planning agreements for medium-sized sites](https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/standard-planning-agreements-for-medium-sized-sites/standard-planning-agreements-for-medium-sized-sites), published 25 August 2026.

An editorial project by [Marius Comper](https://mariuscomper.uk/en/).