For fifty years or so, planning authorities have been asking for financial contributions from developers in exchange for planning permission. These developer contributions are also known as 'planning gain', 'planning obligations' or 'Section 106 contributions', after Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, which gives planning authorities the power to agree planning obligations with a developer.
While the system for planning tariffs is in a state of relative flux, the rationale for collecting developer contributions is unlikely to change. This cements the importance of undertaking effective infrastructure planning to support an effective planning obligations strategy. In 2007/2008, some £587m was collected in planning contributions in the South East.
