Private developments deliver £23m in community funds to Southwark residents

The council's second Section 106 annual report includes details of funds negotiated, funds received from developers, funds committed to new projects and details of all live and recently delivered projects.

The £23m was spent on community development and facilities, parks and public open space, health facilities, education, affordable housing, public realm improvements and transport.

Richard Rawes, Strategic Director of Regeneration and Neighbourhoods, said: "From the Shard to the Tate Modern extension, Southwark Council has some of the largest and most well known redevelopment projects in the UK.

"Our improved systems are attracting a significant increase in benefits that are now being felt across the community.

"Ideas such as new community project banks in our eight community councils to collect project ideas; and the successful release of "historic" 106 monies from a number of old planning agreements to deliver projects in Bermondsey, have really improved the local landscape for residents."

He said the council had also tightened up the time lag between granting of planning permission and signature of the final section 106 agreement.

Examples of projects completed include

• affordable housing - 295 affordable housing units secured funding
• Boundary Row roadworks
• Pocock street bridge refurbishment works
• Cluny estate security - installation of door entry systems
• Union street footway improvements
• Vaughan house - installation of bespoke Eurobin 'housing' and tree planting
• Borough and Bankside 20mph zone, including speed humps and traffic calming signage in Paris Gardens, Columbo Street and Meymott Street
• Brunswick park tennis court refurbishment
• Long Lane - refurbishing the astro-pitch near Long Lane to improve play facilities for children and young people near Tabard Gardens
• Lordship Lane: Shopping parade improvements
• Mint street park - new lighting installed
• Peckham Rye common - new cafe and sports changing rooms

Notes

The council can enter into a Section 106 agreement, otherwise known as a 'planning obligation' with a developer where it is necessary to provide contributions to offset negative impacts caused by construction and development.

Examples of contributions range from the provision of affordable homes and new open space to funding of school places or employment training schemes. It refers to section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act. For more information please visit Section 106.

From April 1 2008 to March 31 2009, 53 section 106 agreements were signed totalling £22,992,136.

The highest section 106 sums are secured in the major regeneration and development areas such as Bankside, Bermondsey and Rotherhithe.