SECTION 106 DEVELOPERS’ GUIDE TO INFRASTRUCTURE CONTRIBUTIONS IN
SUFFOLK Neil McManus, Contributions Coordinator, Suffolk County Council
Neil McManus is Contributions Coordinator at Suffolk County Council. He is a member of Council for the Eastern Branch and Eastern Branch Chairman. He has been a leader in establishing the countywide adoption of the Developers’ Guide.
http://www.suffolk.gov.uk/business/planning-and-design-advice/planning-obligations/
“The aim of the Developers’ Guide is to secure planning obligation contributions from developers to ensure that new developments are accompanied by appropriate infrastructure and services and that the potential impacts on existing communities are mitigated, and to ensure the delivery of sustainable development.”
the need not to inhibit economic and housing growth. The Developers’ Guide fully recognises the need for this balance.
Introduction
The purpose of the Developers’ Guide is to provide guidance on a wide range of infrastructure issues that may need to be considered by the relevant local planning authority when determining development proposals. It is intended to improve transparency and consistency on planning obligation requirements across Suffolk by providing guidance to statutory agencies, community organisations, developers and all stakeholders involved in the development management process.
However, it is very important to balance the need to fund infrastructure with
THE TERRIER - Summer 2012
The Government’s National Planning Policy Framework talks of the significant potential to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the planning application system for all parties by pre-application engagement and front-loading the process. The Developers’ Guide is important for the pre-application stage. It gives developers a greater understanding of what is required from them, and the planning authority can use it as part of its process. It has also been designed specifically to avoid placing unrealistic financial demands on developers which could discourage developments and, therefore, economic growth throughout Suffolk.
While the County Council has an important role to play in s106 negotiations, the level and range of contributions secured against individual schemes is ultimately the responsibility of the planning authority to take the lead role in negotiations with developers. The County Council deals
with its own applications and those dealing with minerals and waste but the vast bulk of planning applications in Suffolk are dealt with by the district and borough Councils. The new guide allows for decision-making by local councillors who know what is needed locally.
The Developers’ Guide seeks to establish an appropriate balance by both supporting economic growth through new developments, such as housing, and making sure the infrastructure is in place to support development. The Guide helps achieve this balance and work positively for the greater good of Suffolk as a whole.
What are the resource and risk implications?
The aim of the Guide is to secure planning obligation contributions from developers to ensure that new developments are accompanied by appropriate infrastructure and services and that the potential impacts on existing communities are mitigated, and to ensure the delivery of sustainable development. Whilst government’s stated intention is to support economic
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