Decision details

To seek approval to release £16.24k of S106 funding for improvements to biodiversity at Asher Recreation Ground, Locks Ride Recreation Ground in Winkfield.

That £16,245.90 of S106 contributions are allocated to fund improvements to biodiversity and sustainability at three Winkfield Parish Council sites.

1.     Developer contributions are collected through S106 agreements to support “providing, expanding or improving open space, and/or outdoor recreational facilities (which may include the acquisition and/or improvement of land and/or buildings and/or carrying out or assisting in the carrying out of nature/landscaping conservation projects) within 3 kilometres of the Site.”

2.     The justification for requiring developers to supporting the improvement of open space and outdoor recreational facilities is given in The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF):

‘8. Promoting healthy and safe communities

98. Access to a network of high quality open spaces and opportunities for sport and physical activity is important for the health and well-being of communities, and can deliver wider benefits for nature and support efforts to address climate change…’

3.     The improvements deliver key objectives in The Council Plan 2019-2023:

•           continue to provide easy access to the natural environment

•           protect our highly valued green spaces and strategic green gaps

•           address the impact of man-made climate change on our local communities by putting in place actions that work towards meeting the government target of eradication its net contribution to climate change by 2050

4.     The borough council has adopted a Parks and Open Spaces Strategy (2012) and the improvements to biodiversity are in accordance with delivering the following three priorities:

‘6. Enhance the natural qualities of parks and open spaces. Protect and enhance biodiversity.

Positively manage trees and woodlands, to include new planting to provide for future generations.’

5.     ‘7. Identify opportunities to increase the positive role that parks and open spaces can contribute to climate change mitigation (e.g. tree planting as part of carbon sequestration). Implement appropriate measures in support of climate change adaption (e.g. ponds and scrapes).’

‘11. Encourage greater community involvement and additional partnership working between agencies, groups and organisations.’

6.     The council has adopted a Bracknell Forest Biodiversity Action Plan (2018-2023) (BAP) and this project delivers the key priorities:

- Wetland Habitat - E i) Restore 5 ponds

- Urban Habitat Ai) Plant or replace at least 50 large native urban trees

7.     This Council strongly believes in the need to continue its work to address the impact of man-made Climate Change on our local communities. The improvements to biodiversity and sustainability are in line with one of the four principles in the Bracknell Forest Climate Change Strategy, which is:

‘Preserving the natural environment sustainably in line with the Bracknell Forest plans.’

1.     Not delivering these improvements in Winkfield could lead to a failure to meet the objectives in The Council Plan, Climate Change Strategy, Parks and Open Spaces Strategy and the Biodiversity Action Plan.

2.     Not using the s106 development monies could result in a failure to mitigate the impact of development and a missed opportunity for ‘providing, expanding or improving open space, and/or outdoor recreational facilities.’

3.     It could lead to funds being returned to the developers if no other qualifying scheme was located through which to deliver enhancements in the time available.

4.     The wide range of S106 open space and recreation contributions available in the borough have been assessed to eliminate those lying outside the distance constraints of the developments as set out in the respective s106 agreements

No