London Councils response to the 'New Policy Document for Planning Obligations' consultation

London Councils responds to the Government's consultation on a 'New Policy Document for Planning Obligations'

In March 2010 the Government launched a consultation on the role of planning obligations (also known as S106 obligations as they are made by developers to local authorities under section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990) following the introduction of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). This consultation closed in June 2010.

While broadly supportive of the propsals in the consultation document, London Councils' response made the following points:

• Further clarity is needed to give guidance as to when a planning application can be refused due to a failure to deliver a planning obligation
• Confirmation of the conditions governing how funds gained through S106 negotiation can be spent
• Greater detail on what infrastructure S106 can contribute towards
• Clarification on the Government's intentions behind 'pooled contributions'
• A reduction of the overly onerous requirements to report every three months to the Government
• London Councils supports the regular issuing of good-practice guidance to local authorities on issues such as the viability of developments (especially given that CIL will be levied by the Mayor in London) and monitoring S106 spending.

The full response can be downloaded below (published July 2010).