Planning obligations (section 106 agreements)

Section 106 agreements are made between us and developers during the planning process to offset the negative impacts of a development.

Things a developer may have to consider as part of an agreement include:

• providing affordable housing
• improving community spaces, such as open spaces, schools and recreation spaces
• improving local transport, highways and public rights of way
• taking specific steps to lessen the impact on the local area, such as setting up parking restrictions, landscaping, and noise insulation
• offering local jobs and training strategies

Once a section 106 agreement is in place, it will apply to the development even if someone else buys it. 

How section 106 money may be spent

Section 106 money is spent within the terms of a legal agreement, which will have been entered into when planning permission was granted. In some cases the legal agreements are specific, but in others they're more flexible. This is to ensure the money can be used to deliver large scale schemes serving a wider area, rather than just being confined to local schemes serving a smaller area.

When the legal agreement is flexible, proposals are assessed against six criteria by a strategic panel of senior council officers and councillors. This ensures that each proposal is considered impartial and the council makes the best use of the money received. The criteria are:

• the extent to which the proposal meets the council's strategic aims
• the amount of match funding that the section 106 money can lever in
• whether the scheme generates a future income stream or cost saving for the council
• if the proposal can be delivered
• the level of community support for the scheme
• the extent to which the scheme is expected to increase use

Requesting a section 106 compliance report

You can request a section 106 discharge of conditions report if your property or site is in the Barnsley borough. There's a charge of £125 (including VAT) to apply for the report.

How to apply

You can apply by filling in the online form below. You can only apply for this service for yourself, or on behalf of someone else if they've given you their permission.

In the form you'll need to tell us your details, and the address and postcode of the site you want the compliance report for. If known, please also tell us the planning application number.

If you need a VAT receipt, please make sure you enter your email address when filling in the form. 

What happens next

After we receive your request, we'll aim to provide you with the section 106 report within five working days.