Section 106 funding for community facilities

Developer contributions, also known as 'Section 106 contributions', are paid to the council by developers to help fund the cost of new community and social infrastructure needed when new housing developments are built.

Local community organisations that operate on a not-for-profit basis can apply to the council to spend this money on capital projects such as:

community centres or village halls
multi-purpose sports and leisure centres
play facilities
open spaces

Apply online

or you can download and complete the application form and return it to us:

Section 106 Grant application form (PDF, 227.59KB)

Eligibility criteria

S106 monies can only be spent on facilities where the new development has, at least in part, contributed to the need for the facilities
S106 funding is available for capital projects only - revenue funding towards ongoing running costs is not available
an assessment has been made of local community needs
the project provides new or improved community or social infrastructure
the facilities provided must be open to the public with no membership restrictions in relation to the Equality Act 2010 and have wide public and community benefit

The applicant organisation must also:

have a constitution or set of rules
demonstrate they have consulted facility users and the local community
provide any other evidence of need for the project
have the written support of the local parish or town council

How applications will be assessed

The district council is the accountable body for the spending of S106 monies. We must ensure:

the funding is spent on facilities that are required because of the new development taking place
the process is transparent and fair to all
the project is 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
ownership of the asset and whether consent is in place for any works
endorsement of the local parish or town
evidence of need for the project - for example, supported by the findings of our, securing Minor Highway Improvement Bid funding, identified as a priority in parish or neighbourhood plan, community consultation
an increase in usage, for example a greater number of people will use the facility
a broader usage, for example use by disabled people, older or younger people who may not have had access previously
that a complete funding package is in place with the offer of a S106 grant
financial sustainability for the asset into the future

Examples of the types of projects

Community centres or village halls

Upgrading facilities which are the main community centre in a village and available for anyone in the community to use, such as:

new kitchen
re-roofing
entrance improvements including access ramps and automatic door openers

Minor repairs, redecoration and movable equipment items are excluded from the grant scheme. Examples of projects that would not be eligible for funding:

a new cooker
replacement of broken roof tiles
painting a meeting room

Multi-purpose sports and leisure centres

Building a new facility, extending or refurbishing an existing facility or the provision of disabled facilities.

When designing and developing facilities and implementing projects, applicants are advised to consider best practice guidance provided by Sport England and the relevant national governing bodies.

Examples of eligible projects include:

installing a new sprung floor
complete re-surfacing of an astro-turf pitch
upgrading toilets and changing areas to improve accessibility

Minor repairs, maintenance, redecoration and movable equipment items are excluded from the scheme.

Examples of projects that would not be eligible for funding:

patch repairs to an astro-turf pitch
fixing a broken shower
goal posts or other sports equipment

Play facilities

Building new or substantially refurbishing play areas, teenage zones, skateboard facilities and similar.

We also require evidence that families and young people have been consulted and have participated in the design of the proposed play facility.

Examples of an eligible project include:

new play equipment
new safety surface
a youth shelter

Minor repairs, maintenance, redecoration and movable equipment items are excluded from the scheme. Examples of projects not eligible for funding include:

patch repairs to safety surfaces
painting existing play equipment

Open spaces

Grants are available to parish councils and community groups for the purchase or leasing of land for formal and informal public open space, recreation and allotments.

Leases must be for a minimum of 25 years or, where land is to remain in private ownership, a covenant or written agreement needs to be in place which protects public access and use of the site in perpetuity.

Grants are also available for improvement to existing open spaces such as improving access, education or other facilities.

Please note that planting enhancements will only be considered as part of whole woodland or orchard development projects. Examples of an eligible project include:

 a new trail and signage in an existing open space that improves accessibility
securing a piece of land to develop a community orchard

Maintenance and repairs to existing provision are excluded from the scheme.