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The need for a Section 106 agreement can lead to a delay in the determination of a major application; therefore it is strongly advised to submit a draft legal agreement with appropriate Heads of Terms at the time the application is submitted and following the pre-application discussions.
As part of the PPA process, scheduled discussions will take place on S106 matters so that agreement is open and transparent between all parties prior to any formal submission.
The PPA mechanism has been successful in many new schemes within Central Bedfordshire, including Center Parcs, the urban expansion at Land North of Houghton Regis and with many of the national house builders. The recently published ‘Planning Positively Through Partnership’ by the Local Government Association, British Property Foundation and Home Builders Federation in association with the Planning Advisory Service identifies planning practice at Central Bedfordshire Council as an example of how to do business with the development industry.
The Best Practice Guide highlights Central Bedfordshire’s use of PPAs with the positive partnership between Central Bedfordshire Council, Bloor Homes and its engagement with the local community to bring about the development of over 100 new homes at Stanford Road, Shefford which incorporated new affordable housing, a nature reserve, local road improvements and a new pedestrian/cycle bridge linking the local area to the towns Millennium Green. The guide can be viewed on the Local Government Association website.