Infrastructure Requirement List

New development can bring significant benefits to local communities, including new homes, jobs and other amenities. However, there are often impacts on the local area as a result of development, for example more people using local facilities such as parks, roads and leisure centres. If the impacts are unacceptable then you may want to oppose the development. On the other hand, you may feel that development is acceptable as long as certain steps are taken through planning obligations.

Using planning obligations effectively

Planning obligations are legal agreements between the planning authority, the developer and other interested parties. They make acceptable those developments that would otherwise be unacceptable those developments that would otherwise be unacceptable in planning terms. It may require the developer to do something or restrict what can be done with land following the grant of planning permission. For example, the developer of a large housing site may make a contribution to build a new classroom at the local school.

Planning obligations have a long life. It is not unusual for negotiations between the council and developer about planning obligations to start before the developer submits a planning application. From here, the actual delivery of the planning obligations may be many years down the road, especially for a large development.

In accordance with the relevant legislation planning obligations (such as Section 106 Agreements) can only be sought from developers towards the costs of providing infrastructure, where the new development has, at least in part, contributed to the need for the facilities. Generally speaking Section 106 Agreements can only be used for capital projects like the creation of new facilities or improvement of existing facilities. Revenue funding schemes towards on-going running costs or contributions towards salary payments are not usually appropriate.

With this in mind the Council has created an Infrastructure Requirement List (IRL) to use in negotiations around planning obligations in particular Section 106 agreements. The IRL does not relate to specific planning applications, it looks at different development scenarios on a ward by ward basis. This is because the location, type and size of development are not always known until a planning application is submitted.

Nominating new projects for the Infrastructure Requirement List

As the accountable body for the spending of S106 monies in Thurrock, the Council must ensure that:

• Funding is spent on facilities that can be demonstrated to be required because of the new development taking place

• The process is transparent and fair to all

• Projects supported are necessary, viable, will deliver the required social and community benefits, and will be well managed.

  When assessing proposed projects the following criteria will be considered:

• The eligibility of the organisation and project for S106 funding

• Evidence of need for the project. What impact will the proposed development have on local/strategic facilities and assets? How will this project ease that impact?

• For improvements to existing facilities/assets, evidence that a greater number of people will be able to use the facility/asset or there will be a broader usage of the facility (e.g. use by disabled people, older or younger people who may not have had access previously) as a result of awarding the funding