Planners need to make sure that local people get the best deal from new developments

2.57.38pm UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 3rd Aug 2006

Councillor David Ward, the Liberal Democrat Chair of Bradford North Area Committee is urging Bradford Councils planners to follow new government guidance to make sure that local people get the best deal from new developments.

"I welcome the new guidance from the government which urges local authorities to make better use of "Section 106" agreements to deliver more affordable housing and community infrastructure. We should be able to invest in community facilities, car clubs parks and homes that people can afford.

I would like to see more shared equity schemes to help get young people onto the housing ladder and houses that are specifically designed to last people a life time. Bradford North has a huge number of young people on the housing list that may have to wait years for a chance to rent or own their own home.

However care must be taken to make sure that the wishes of local people are not squeezed out by the bigger regeneration schemes of the council. Millions have so far been invested in the City Centre but so far the impact on local people has been minimal. I want to see the council make a real commitment to working with residents and their local Councillors to invest in local schemes."

The call to action came as the government published new guidance (1) for local authorities and developers on how better to use planning obligations. The guide offers practical advice on how to improve the development, negotiation and implementation of section 106 agreements. It also provides real life examples of how to make the process quicker, whilst providing more certainty, and includes a model legal agreement prepared by the Law Society.

The guidance is aimed at improving the use of the current planning obligations system. The government has also consulted on proposals for a Planning-Gain Supplement (PGS), to capture a modest portion of the land value increase resulting from planning permission. The government will make further announcements on PGS by the end of 2006.