Heathland Mitigation Funding and Planning Obligations Funding Information, Process & Procedures

BOROUGH OF POOLE

BROADSTONE, MERLEY & BEARWOOD AREA COMMITTEE

19 MARCH 2008

HEATHLAND MITIGATION FUNDING AND PLANNING OBLIGATIONS FUNDING – INFORMATION, PROCESS & PROCEDURES

Heathland Mitigation Funding

What is Heathland Mitigation Funding?

Heathland Mitigation Funding is generated through the desire to safeguard Dorset’s once extensive heathlands from further degradation and fragmentation by urban development and other land uses.

It is the view of Natural England that the cumulative effect of further residential developmentwithin5kmof European designated heathland sites in Dorset would have a significant adverse effect on the rare and important habitats and associated plant and animal species of our lowland heaths. Additional residential development within 400m of heathland would, it is believed, have such an adverse effect that it is unlikely to be approved.

In the area between 400m and 5km, measured in a straight line from the boundary of the protected heath, it has been agreed that avoidance or mitigation measures can be taken that will allow development to be approved. Mitigation measures will include enhancements to existing open space and other publicly owned land and the provision of alternative facilities that would divert recreational use away from the heathland.

It is calculated that the cost of these measures, payable by developers as ‘planning obligations’ through the planning process, will result in a fund exceeding £7 million in the three years to the end of 2009. The fund will be allocated to mitigation measures throughout South East Dorset.

Who allocates and controls the spending?

Governance and finance is controlled by the Heathland Executive Group, comprising a representative of each of the Councils in South East Dorset, Dorset County Council, the RSPB, Home Builders’ Federation and Natural England.

Heathland Mitigation Funding differs from Planning Obligations Funding in that it is collected from all the South East Dorset authorities and held centrally. Each of the authorities, and bodies such as the Forestry Commission and Dorset Wildlife Trust, can bid for funds – including for money collected from other authorities.

What canHeathland Mitigationfunding be spent on?

Heathland Mitigation projects will divert pressures away from heathland by the improvement of existing open space close to heathland sites, or will reduce the impact of public use on the heathland itself. Typically they would involve extending the footpath network on existing open space, and the provision of challenging and adventurous play activities, such as skateboarding and BMX facilities. The Executive Group is currently considering the allocation of funds for ball play equipment, such as multi use games areas (MUGAs).

How are projects generated?

Projects are generated by Leisure Services staff and through:

Local Member interest
Partnership working with other Service Units
The implementation of Management Plans
The aspirations of residents and community groups

Local projects are submitted to the Heathland Executive Group having first been considered by Borough of Poole Leisure Services to ensure that they fit with the Council’s core strategy and with Leisure Services priorities.

Leisure Services now accepts proposals, via the Green Card Scheme, for projects that meet the relevent criteria for either Heathland Mitigation orPlanning Obligations Funding.

Before completing your Green Card you are also advised to contact the Leisure Services Technical & Development Team who will be able to advise you whether your proposals meet the relevant criteria, and about providing evidence of local need and potential benefits. Contact Sarah Austin, Project Officer, Technical & Development Team, Tel: 01202 261325
Email:

Planning Obligations Funding

What is Planning Obligations Funding?

Planning Obligations Funding is generated through Local Plan Policy L17 whereby local planning authorities enter into legally binding agreement with developers to ensure that certain planning obligations are met. A proportion of the funds generated through L17 are allocated to LeisureServices for the provision or improvement of play parks, open spaces and other leisure infrastructure that helps an area cope with increased numbers of people using local facilities.

How are funds allocated?

A proportion of the money collected by Leisure Services contributes to the cost of district-wide facilities including leisure centres and outdoor play (such as sports pitches and multi use games areas).

The remainder is paid into three separate funds in the electoral ward in which the development takes place,and isring-fenced for funding:

Equipped Children's Play (i.e. playgrounds)
Casual Play (for informal play in open spaces)
Amenity Open Space (general improvements to our parks and recreation grounds)

A percentage of the Casual Play and Amenity Open Space funding is collected from wards for improvementsto Poole's strategic outdoor facilities - our beaches, Poole Park and Upton Country Park. The amount collected varies according to the ward (based on market research and consumer feedback) and is capped to ensure that it does not unnecessarily impinge on provision of ward-based improvements.

Who allocates and controls the spending?

The allocation of Planning Obligations money is determined by the Planning Obligations sub-group, made up of five Councillors appointed by the Environment Overview Group. The sub-group meets 4-6 times a year and makes recommendations on projects put before them by Council Officers.

What can Planning Obligations funding be spent on?

Planning Obligations funding is to be spent only on projects that enhance the use and appeal of an open space by, for instance, the installation of play equipment or sports facilities, the construction of footpaths/cycleways, the addition of interpretation or lighting, or simply by re-design and landscaping.

It cannot be spent on the maintenance of existing facilities such as footpaths, drainage or sports pitches.

How are projects generated?

Projects are generated by Leisure Services staff and through:

Local Member interest
Partnership working with other Service Units
The implementation of Management Plans
The aspirations of residents and community groups

Leisure Services now accepts proposals, via the Green Card Scheme, for projects that meet the relevent criteria for either Planning Obligations or Heathland Mitigation Funding.

Before completing your Green Card youmight liketo contact the Leisure Services Technical & Development Team who will be able to advise you about the potential funding available in your Ward, whether your proposals meet the relevant criteria, and about providing evidence of local need and potential benefits. Contact Sarah Austin, Project Officer, Technical & Development Team, Tel: 01202 261325, Email:

Green Card Scheme

The Green Card Scheme

The Green Card scheme was introduced in December 2007, providing a clearly definedroute by which local residents, community groups and other organisations can apply for new or improved leisure-related facilities in parks or other open spaces across the Borough.

The delivery of Green Card projects is handled by Leisure Services and funding comes from two sources:

Planning Obligations Funding
Heathland Mitigation Funding

At the linkedpages we describe how these funds are collected and spent, and the evidence-based criteria we apply to the allocation of them. Belowwe listsomeof the pointsyou will needto consider if you are thinking of proposing a project.

The type of proposals likely to be successful:

New equipped children’s play areas (playgrounds), or improvements to existing play areas
A Goal End or MUGA (ball play facilities) in areas some distance from formal sports pitches
Improvements to underused sites designed to attract more local people to enjoy them for exercise and informal recreation (walking, cycling, picnicking, for instance).
In the case of Heathland Mitigation Funding particularly, the provision of wheeled play(BMX or other cycling, or skateboarding facility) on sites that adjoin heathland

What the Green Card scheme requires of you:

That you have worked up a project proposal that would be delivered on Council-owned land; we are unable to provide leisure facilities on privately owned land.
That you have identified whether your project would require Planning Permission
That you have consulted with and gained the support of local residents, Ward Councillors and any other stakeholder(s), and that you have evidence to demonstrate that support

What we need to consider:

Whether you project meets the relevant criteria in terms of, for instance,
Whether the scheme is suitable for the proposed location
Whether your project fits with existing Borough of Poole policy, plans and strategic priorities, for example, the Business Plan and Open Spaces Strategy
Whether there are other demands on the ward-based funding that would be required to deliver your project
Whether we have the capacity to deliver your project (i.e. the personnel, the time and necessary skills and experience, either in-house or externally)

If you have identified a project you believe would improvethe recreationalor leisure opportunitiesin your neighbourhood or elsewhere in the Borough, and you believe it meets the criteria associated with the Green Card Scheme and the relevant funding, please download, complete and submit the Green Card Project Proposal Form available at Apply for it! on boroughofpoole.com
Copies are also available on request from the Technical & Development Team at the Leisure Services offices, contact Sarah Austin, Project Officer, Technical & Development Team, Tel: 01202 261325, Email:

A copy of the Guide relating to Planning Obligations Fund – Recreational Contributions is attached.

CLIVE SMITH
LEISURE SERVICES