Commentary on Sections Part 3: Planning Control. Section 76: Planning agreements
This section enables any person who has an estate in land to enter into a planning agreement with either a council or the Department (whichever is the relevant authority).  A planning agreement may facilitate or restrict the development or use of the land in any specified way, require operations or activities to be carried out, or require the land to be used in any specified way.  An agreement may also require a sum or sums to be paid to the relevant authority or to a Northern Ireland department on a specified date or dates or periodically.  The relevant authority has the power to enforce a planning agreement by entering the land and carrying out the operations itself.  Any expenses incurred in doing so are recoverable from the person or persons against whom the agreement is enforceable.