Select Committee on Office of the Deputy Prime Minister: Housing, Planning, Local Government and the Regions Written Evidence


Memorandum by the Association of Play Industries (API) (PGS 37)

  1.  Section 106 money is an important part of funding for play area provision and it is vital both for the industry and for the local residents that this funding stream continues. It does seem that the space provided on many new developments for play provision is not the most suitable for the purpose, but perhaps the least suitable area for use for housing. Planning policy could consider this aspect of the provision—not simply from monetary terms but also from the use of space perspective.

  2.  At present the negotiations that are carried out between developers and local authorities to establish the amount of 106 for a particular development seems to be prolonged and complicated so perhaps a set procedure would be beneficial and create clarity for all parties.

  3.  Section 106 should be charged on all developments—industrial as well as residential.

  4.  Our general preference is to see the entire 106 money go to local level, not into a communal budget and then re-allocated, in order to ensure there is no dilution of funding for local projects, as the importance of Local Development Frameworks cannot be overlooked, particularly as these provide for consultation and local input processes.

  5.  Whilst it perhaps easier for local authorities to simply require the developer to provide a play area and leave it to the developer to commission a playground, this does not necessarily create an area compliant with standards or containing suitable equipment. The play area should be considered as part of the overall provision in a locality and therefore is better managed by the local authority rather than the developer.

  6.  Decisions relative to the use of funds need input from local level. We believe local people know what is needed for their community, and are best placed to comprehend the impact of a new development on the resources and facilities of the existing area.

  7.  In some parts of the country, local communities have embraced the government's Town and Parish Plan procedure, thus providing researched local information to District Council level. This local level planning and knowledge should be embraced within the system.

  8.  It is essential that 106 funding is an additional resource for a local area—to provide additional facilities required as a result of a development—and not a replacement for funding that should already be allocated by the local authority. We are aware that in certain instances not all of the funding is used for the provision of play areas. However, we are not aware of the proportion utilised for other amenities and facilities.





 
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