03/29/2024

Wales News Online

Local & National News for Wales

MORE than £4million has been paid to the council over the last five years through it’s Section 106 planning policy aiming to mitigate a development’s community impact.

However, of that £4.2million received by Pembrokeshire County Council only £765,020 has been spent according to Freedom of Information figures.

Of the remaining £3,532,987 unspent around £3million remains unallocated to specific capital projects or improvements at the development site or where it has created a need for them.

This can include transportation infrastructure, education facilities, public open spaces and community facilities in the locality of the property to be built.

Some schemes have “not ‘started their five year spending window as this is only triggered when the final payment is received” the data notes.

Over the five years none of the money was returned to developers or applicants who were required to make the contributions – usually a percentage of a developments worth or a pre-specified sum.

The largest amount of Section 106 money was received in financial year 2014/15 – £1,977,216 – but £1,636,795 of that remains unspent and of that £1,511,629 is unallocated.

In 2015/16 £403,854 was received and £253,997 remains unspent while in the following year £490,777 was paid to the council and £365,459 unspent.

In 2017/18 housing developers contributed £845,991 with £724,017 unspent of which £577,474 is unallocated.

And the most recent figures, 2018/19 show £580,167 has been contributed with the £552,817 unspent entirely unallocated so far.

Section 106 contributions can also be used for affordable housing provision and last year £162,229 was earmarked to go “towards the provision of affordable housing in the locality of the property.”

Council publications show that some of the town or community council areas receiving affordable housing contributions in 2018/19 include Burton,
East Williamston, Fishguard and Goodwick, Haverfordwest, Nolton and Roch, Pembroke, Pembroke Dock, St Dogmaels and Templeton.

A further breakdown for the last financial year shows £104,2014 for potential transportation schemes, £234,463 towards educational facilities and £31,413 for open space and recreation facilities, with an additional £18,011 towards community uses.

Categories: Revenue collection
Locations:
Authorities: Pembrokeshire County Council

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