Planning Obligations SPD 2021

6.0 COMMUNITY FACILITIES

6.1 Community facilities can be in a wide range of venues and include for example, places of worship, town and village halls, purpose-built community centres, sports centres and clubs as well as adapted venues, including historic listed buildings, converted houses, flats, shops, scout huts and rooms or halls attached to faith buildings.

6.2 Local Plan policy IN1 infrastructure provision seeks direct provision and/or financial contributions to infrastructure including social assets such as community halls and indoor sports facilities to support and meet the needs arising from the development. Whilst on site provision is sought on larger sites, much of the development in Harborough District is at a smaller scale but it will still be expected to contribute to community needs generated by additional development, by helping to expand or develop existing levels of provision. Policy IN1 seeks infrastructure contributions on major developments.

6.3 At the time of a planning application being received, the District Council in conjunction with Town/Parish Councils will assess the proposed development against the existing levels of provision in the community and submit evidence of need for additional community facilities in the area arising from the proposed development.

Level of Contribution to Community Facilities

6.4 The level of contributions required to provide additional community facilities are set out in 'Refresh of the Harborough District Community Infrastructure Assessment' undertaken by Peter Brett 2017. Chapter 4 of the report sets out the methodology and contributions required. Table 4.2 at para 4.3.3 sets out the costs per dwelling according to size.

The report has also been used to inform the Community Facilities strategy which identifies needs for community facilities.

Allocation of funding for community facilities

6.5 The Council operates a community led approach to allocating funding for community projects and off-site recreation contributions to take account of community needs and priorities at the time when the development is being implemented.

6.6 Further information about the S106 community grant scheme can be found at the District Council website. For further details about community facilities please contact:

Community Partnerships Team, Harborough District Council Tel: 01858 828282.

Questions

The SPD has been updated to include further explanation of the evidence base to support Section 106 requests in relation to community facilities.