CASH secured by Barnsley Council from housing developers to compensate communities for the impact new estates have on their local areas now totals £10m, the Chronicle can reveal.
Section 106 agreements allow local authorities to enter into legally-binding contracts as part of their planning consent which effectively ring fences money to improve the locality.
In recent years, the council has received millions in Section 106 payments, which in turn has been invested in education, affordable housing, sustainable travel, highways and public open spaces such as parks and play areas.
However, according to documents seen by the Chronicle, a total of £10,883,829 was available as of last year, which was an increase on the previous year’s £9,491,630.
Coun Robin Franklin, cabinet spokesperson for regeneration and culture, said: “In the 2023 to 2024 financial year we’re pleased to have invested £3.1m of Section 106 funds across Barnsley into a variety of areas and schemes.
“This includes £1.5m to increase affordable housing, £74,000 on biodiversity schemes, £1.1m on education schemes, and £500,000 on improving public spaces.
“Any Section 106 funding that is unspent and uncommitted within the financial year is then reserved for further community development opportunities which are progressed by project officers in consultation with ward members and residents.
“This includes upgrades to parks and play equipment, or additional affordable housing improvements.
“These investments all work towards our aim of making Barnsley the place of possibilities, improving the standard of living for our residents, and providing enriching experiences for children and young people across the borough."
A month-long consultation period has now been opened by Barnsley Council, which asks residents for their views on alterations to its so-called Local Plan, a development blueprint for the next decade.
The Local Plan, adopted in January 2019, contains policies to be considered when determining planning applications.
Supplementary planning documents (SPDs) contain further advice and explain how these policies will be applied, including Section 106 contributions.
A number of SPDs were adopted following the adoption of the Local Plan and views are now being sought on education-related contributions.
Under the new proposals, financial contributions will be required for successful planning applications for housing developments which provide ten or more homes or in areas where insufficient capacity has been identified in schools.
Developers could be charged £17,500 per place for primary schools, or £24,500 per place at secondary schools.
For SEND (special education needs and disabilities) places, developers will be asked to pay four times the cost.
In recent years three developments - at Lingamore Leys in Thurnscoe, Carrs Lane in Cudworth and Kingsmark Way in Goldthorpe - have collectively yielded £2m for improvements to schools, the Chronicle can reveal.
A report said: “The council previously asked for views on proposed changes to this document in summer 2023.
“Following this consultation, further changes are now proposed to take account of the comments made.
“This is the calculation that will apply in the majority of cases, however there may be cases where a different approach is needed, depending on what factors are affecting the capacity of the school.
“For example, if a whole new school is needed and the developer does not want to build this directly, then the contributions required may be different from the figure arrived at using this calculation.
“Given the number of SEND places required are generally a small proportion of the overall mainstream school provision, and the complex nature of provision required, local need for SEND provision is determined on a borough-wide basis.
“Provision of facilities may also be provided in collaboration with adjoining authorities and may be physically located outside of the Barnsley borough.”
The consultation period closes at 5pm on October 8.
