Section 106 funds benefit wide range of projects across South Downs National Park
December 17, 2020
Gill Welsman, Planning Project Management Officer, gives an update on communities benefiting from Section 106 contributions.
So far this financial year the South Downs National Park Authority has disbursed £405,563.24 to community groups, parishes and other authorities to support projects across the National Park. Projects funded include:
- Community Running Track – Petersfield
- Purchase of Blackmoor SSSI – Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust
- Skatepark Drinking Fountain – Lewes
- Village Gateways, Foot Path Signs and Interpretation Boards – Greatham
- Bridleway Improvements – Rackham
- Delivery of Affordable Housing – East Hampshire District Council
- Tree Sculpture Carving – Horndean
- Town Centre Cycle Stands – Petersfield
- Petanque Court – Liss
- Car Park Resurfacing – Droxford
- Village Bench – Selborne
- Replacement Window – Worldham
Some projects funded by S106 contributions need parish councils to work closely with other infrastructure providers in order to deliver projects on the ground. One such project was the much needed bridleway improvement at Rackham in West Sussex. Parham Parish Council identified a need to improve the surface as the bridleway was impassable for much of the year, by liaising direct with the West Sussex PROW team they were able to obtain quotes and secure contractors, meaning that they are able to deliver this project to the required specification in the next few months.
A collaboration between Hampshire County Council, East Hampshire District Council, Petersfield Town Council and the South Downs National Park Authority has enabled new cycle stands to be installed around Petersfield Town Centre in direct response to the Governments promotion of cycling during the COVID pandemic. It is hoped that the additional ‘parking’ facilities will help support sustainable travel in and around the National Park during the pandemic, as well as leaving a longer term legacy for future generations.
With people being encouraged to use outdoor spaces more over the last few months, Liss Parish Council approached the National Park to secure funding for a new petanque court at the Liss Forest Recreation Ground following the loss of their previous facility. Work has begun on the court and it is hoped that the installation will not only provide all year round facilities but encourage new players to the game.
We are happy to report that projects funded by S106 contributions are still being delivered across the National Park. Completed projects this year include:
- Community Running Track – Petersfield
- ARC Trust SSSI Land Purchase – Whitehill
- Car Park Barrier – Chawton
- Town Centre Cycle Stands – Petersfield
- Heath Pond Bank Stabilisation & Play Area – Petersfield
- Outdoor Canopies – Midhurst Rother College
- Car Park Improvements – Buriton
- Timberyard Playground – Lewes
The extension to the existing canopied outdoor area at Midhurst Rother College has been a welcome addition to their outdoor space. Two new canopies with glass sides have extended the current provision with glass sides being added along the entire structure. The project has given the college a much-improved versatile area that can be used in inclement weather as an outdoor classroom and as an extended dining facility.
The play area at Timberyard, Lewes has received a complete makeover thanks to S106 contributions, seeing old outdated equipment being replaced with new state-of-the-art equipment, including a sand pit with digger and new safety surfacing.
As well as supporting projects that are funded by S106 contributions our officers actively monitor the delivery of infrastructure previously secured through S106 Agreements. In addition to ensuring that obligations that protect the landscape, ecology and mitigate the impact of development are completed, the SDNPA is secure access routes by entering into permissive agreements and S25 agreements with landowners across the National Park.
As well as securing a permissive route at Swanborough, Lewes which links existing routes to the Egrets Way and a new footpath at Madehurst, SDNP Officers are currently finalising the installation of a new footpath in Petersfield linking the Hangars Way to new developments along the Causeway and into Petersfield.