In the next few years I will probably be able to create a 600sq.yd. building plot, behind my existing home, for a smaller much more efficient new build. Tony's house was obviously of interest; I was shocked to discover that he had paid a S 106 charge of £11,228.27 + £375 monitoring fee "before planning permission is granted". I wondered if it would make much more sense to spend that sort of money on further improvements to my 1930 chalet bungalow, instead. The high cost of new services would also be avoided and I would retain use of a much larger vegetable garden till increasing age imposed it's own limitations.
Today I have been told, verbally, that Sheffield only imposes S 106 on developments of " over 5 houses ". Can I rely on this policy being retained in the medium term? Is there a large variation between local authorities nationally?
Anyone had any experience of the vagaries of S 106?
BTW labelled "contributions" on Sheffield Planning Dept's web site!

It varies wildly between authorities. If the deal is good in your local Council at the moment, get the permission, discharge any conditions that require approval prior to commencement, and then "materially commence" the development (do the foundations) and get building control to enter it on to the system as Building Work Started.
Then you can take as long as you like to finish the development.

Planning policies can change considerably at a moments notice. S106 contributions can be required where they weren't before, amounts increase over time, and your Council may find itself in a situation of housing over-supply and decide to have a moratorium on new housing for the forseeable future, even if the location is in a town.

Posted By: docmartinCan I rely on this policy being retained in the medium term?

No

Posted By: docmartinIs there a large variation between local authorities nationally?

Yes.
Tony's house is the highest I have heard of for a single dwelling (but I haven't done any research on this subject)

Former Vale Royal Borough Council are approx £800 plus legal fees (£200 if Unilateral Undertaking) for single dwelling.
Former Ellesmere Port & Neston Borough Council = no contribution for a single dwelling (kicks in at 5)

We didn't get charged anything, single house, council Calderdale, West Yorks.

In Perthshire you have to pay about £6,000 if the local school doesn't have enough capacity. Of course that doesn't go towards increasing capacity but to the general council coffers.

Posted By: StuartBIn Perthshire you have to pay about £6,000 if the local school doesn't have enough capacity. Of course that doesn't go towards increasing capacity but to the general council coffers.

Yes and no. Schools are partly funded in proportion to the number of pupils they have so in theory some of the S106 money does find it's way to the school when the pupil that live in the new houses arrive at school.

Interestingly I believe some small rural schools with lower than average numbers get extra money to reflect that there is a minimium capital cost of running a school. I gather this means some schools don't want to grow pupil numbers too much as over a threshold they loose money.

I wonder what happens when your local school converts to an Academy? Aren't they funded direct by central government rather than the LA? Where does your S106 go then?