Councillor demands section 106 cash for free school bid

From the Dunmow Broadcast: http://www.dunmowbroadcast.co.uk/news/parents_should_have_say_on_free_school_option_in_great_dunmow_says_councillor_1_3215071

Cash and land have been earmarked by developers Crest Nicholson for a primary school on the 370-home Smiths Farm development, as part of the Section 106 deal for planning approval.



However, Councillor Keith Mackman, a member of Uttlesford District Council’s planning committee, said the community – and not Essex County Council’s education authority – should take control.

Councillor Keith Mackman, a member of Uttlesford District Council’s planning committee, said: 'My views are influenced by the knowledge that we cannot automatically assume Essex County Council will accept the offer of land on a site for a school and proceed to build that school.

'On the contrary, it is not unusual for Essex to decline to build schools on new application sites even where their demands for S106 monies toward education provision border on the onerous. There is a definite need for more school places in the town.'

In the past free schools have been payers rather than receivers of Section 106: http://www.lgcplus.com/free-schools-lodge-planning-fee-complaint/5052058.article