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The Babergh Local Plan Alteration No. 2 was adopted by the Council as the development plan for the area on 1 June this year. Policy HS32 states Proposals for all new residential development, ranging from a single dwelling up to the development of a 1.5 hectare site, will be required to provide open space and play equipment in proportion to the number of dwellings to be built. Developers will be given a choice to either:
- Contribute financially to secure public open space with play equipment on a nearby alternative site, or enhance and improve the nearest existing provision provided by the District Council; or
- Provide 10% of the gross site area as public open space with play equipment, if an opportunity exists to combine with an established adjacent area of public open space and if this has been agreed in advance with the District Council. If direct provision is possible, the open space will be assessed against the criteria listed in paragraph 3.120.
If a developer cannot provide open space and play equipment or facilities on an alternative site, a financial contribution will be required, in line with the prevailing charges set by the District Council, which are based on the number of bedrooms per house.
If open space and play equipment are to be adopted by the District Council, it will seek a Planning Obligation to make suitable provision for its subsequent maintenance.The Council will be implementing this policy and therefore will be seeking such payment on all applications of one dwelling or more. An efficient process is needed to ensure that decisions on applications can be achieved within 8 weeks.
The Council has also adopted Supplementary Planning Guidance in a document entitled ‘The Provision of Outdoor Recreation Facilities and Open Space (Sites Under 1.5 hectares)". This document (as updated annually) provides details of the payments required in relation to different house sizes. More information about Outdoor recreation facilities and open space obligations.
Contributions
effective from 1 April 2008 – 31 March 2009 are as follows:
- One bed property : £566.00
- Two bed property : £1,132.00
- Three bed property : £1,984.00
- Four bed property : £2,830.00
- Five+ bed property : £3,396.00
In order to assist in the processing of such applications the Council has produced a standard template for a Section 106 Obligation relating to detailed and outline applications. There are also guidance notes to help in the completion of these templates. These forms are now available to be downloaded and completed offline. Please click on the relevant link below to obtain the appropriate forms. Hard copies of the forms are available on request from these offices.
Forms and guidance notes
All applications submitted to the Council from 14 August 2006 for residential development for single dwellings upwards should be accompanied by two copies of the completed standard template. This will help the Council to process such applications more efficiently and reduce any delays in entering into lengthy negotiations. If a planning obligation is not completed within the target date for determination of the application, the application will be determined as it stands and maybe refused planning permission because of its failure to contribute towards public open space. It would greatly assist the processing of applications therefore if a submission is accompanied by the completed templates together with a fee of £140.00 to cover the reasonable legal costs of the Council.
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