3. What type of planning obligations can I expect?
Planning obligations such as section 106 agreements provide developer contributions. Developer contributions help deliver infrastructure and facilities related to development.
Note that most strategic infrastructure is now to be funded by Community Infrastructure Levy.
Planning authorities and developers negotiate s106 agreements. These then secure the contributions necessary to make a development acceptable. These elements are typically included in section 106 agreements. See our supplementary planning document on planning obligations for more information.
The following is a non-exhaustive list of matters covered by section 106:
Affordable housing
Affordable housing is an important part of the housing mix, helping to ensure accommodation is available to all groups in the community at lower than market cost. See our affordable housing supplementary planning document for information on our policy.
Parks and open spaces
The provision of site specific open spaces and play facilities is required by section 106 agreement in accordance with the public open space supplementary planning document. Note that this document also refers to certain types of sports facilities to serve a wider catchment, which should now be funded through CIL.
Obligations to Devon County Council
Highways
Highway requirements are determined on a case-by-case basis. S106 highway obligations are sometimes required for site-specific highway and junction improvements, and traffic orders, for example to control parking. Larger schemes are likely to be funded from CIL and other sources.
Public transport
Like highway contributions, public transport obligations are negotiated and based on transport assessment and circumstances. Planning obligations are often agreed for the provision of local infrastructure such as bus stops.
Healthcare provision
Obligations may include the provision of funding to expand and improve local GP surgeries, to reduce the strain on existing services that may be caused by people moving into the area to live in new developments.