Millions invested in Hackney's public spaces from developer levies
The borough’s parks, libraries, schools and street markets received more than £15million in improvements – funded directly by levies placed on new developments in the borough.
More than 80 projects – from new play areas and youth centre refurbishments to employment and training initiatives – benefitted from funds raised from Planning agreements for new developments.
The charges – formally called Section 106 agreements and the Community Infrastructure Levy – are designed to mitigate the impact of development and ensure necessary local infrastructure is delivered to support new buildings, residents and businesses.
Projects to receive funding between April 2018 and March 2019 included:
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Improvements to Abney Park, Shoreditch Park and Haggerston Park
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New facilities for De Beauvoir Square play area
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The Hackney Works employment support service
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New car club parking bays
The spending was detailed in a report approved by the Council’s Corporate Committee last night (11 February).
It’s our mission to make Hackney fairer, and we’ll use every power the Council has to make sure that the borough’s growing economy brings benefits and opportunities for everyone in Hackney.
These projects are a direct result of Hackney’s Planning service and their work to ensure that new developments unlock additional investment into our communities – whether that’s improvements to public facilities or into job opportunities.
The Council enters into an agreement with organisations or individuals applying for planning permission to mitigate the impact of development under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act, which is why they are often referred to as ‘Section 106 agreements’. The Community Infrastructure Levy is a fixed charge levied on new development to help fund infrastructure in the borough.