Background
The Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) has overall policy responsibility for planning in England, while frontline decisions are made by Local Planning Authorities (LPAs).
When a development is due to take place, developers make financial contributions to the LPA as part of the process of granting planning permission. These contributions are made primarily through either Section 106 or the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL).
These contributions are crucial in delivering support for new developments in local communities, including the provision of amenities, new infrastructure and affordable housing.
Scope
This report will examine whether MHCLG is overseeing a system of developer contributions that delivers the intended benefits. We will consider whether MHCLG:
- has designed a system that is understandable and accessible to stakeholders
- is supporting LPAs to collect and spend developer contributions efficiently and effectively
- is learning and applying lessons to improve the developer contributions system
NAO Team
Director: Helen Hodgson
Audit Manager: Phil Hyde