Developer contributions of £53,622 have been secured for Jackey Bakers rec in Ramsgate over the last three years – but are not due to be paid until sites are completed and residents have moved in.
The question of the Section 106 obligations, made when planning approval is passed for housing developments, was raised by Cllr John Davis at a meeting last week.
A 1,500 signature strong petition was presented to councillors at the meeting with campaigners asking for the site to overhauled with improvements including extra bins, benches along the main path and outer edges of the football pitches, a changing facility complete with running hot water for showers and toilets, improved pitches for footballers and other sports, a larger play area, skate park and a car park.
June Tyrrell, who launched the petition with fellow resident Chris Collins, also told councillors a sports pavilion with a café on site would be widely welcomed.
Since launching the petition there have been improvements with the grass being maintained and new goalposts being provided.
A community action group has also been formed.
During the meeting Cllr Davis said: “I’d like to raise the fact that (Section) 106 monies were allocated for the restoration of the changing rooms in these pavilions several years ago, which it appears have not been used for the purposes they were allocated for.”
Thanet council says there are two 106 allocations for Jackey Bakers which cover the playing fields, play area and pitches but not the pavilion.
A council spokesperson said: “ In the last three years, Thanet District Council has secured two Section 106 contributions from planning permissions to be spent on improvements at Jackey Bakers.
“These were agreed as part of the planning process for developments at the north side of Stirling Way and on land at New Haine Road. These allocations total £53,622 and apply to the playing fields, pitches and play area, but not the pavilion.
“The terms of the planning permission state that payment would be made prior to the first occupants moving in on each development. As this has not yet taken place, neither payment has been received by the council.”
Some £25,373 must be paid for new or replacement play equipment at Jackey Bakers Rec by Kentish Projects which is developing 23 houses,15 flats and parking on land off Stirling Way, in the perimeter of the Eurokent Business Park and bounded by Royal Harbour Academy and Laleham Gap Schools.
The original application for the project had been granted approval by Thanet council in October 2020 but was quashed by the High Court in July 2021 after a parent took the case to Judicial Review.
The development site is owned by an LLP joint venture in which Thanet council and Kent County Council are partners which gave rise to claims of an appearance of bias by the council, something the judge agreed with.
The result was an order for Thanet council to quash planning permission for the homes overlooking the school playground, with the decision branded as unlawful and having the appearance of bias.
The application came back to Thanet council last year and, following a site visit, a decision was made to defer to officers to grant approval for the development.
A further £28, 247 contribution was agreed with Barratt Homes for a three-phase 500 homes development off New Haine Road in Ramsgate.
Permission for phase one was granted by Thanet council in April 2022 along with the go-ahead for an outline application for a further for 322 homes.
The first phase for 178 one to four-bed properties with 53 ‘affordable’ homes – Spitfire Green – was launched in July last year.
In July this year Thanet council approved a deal to buy 42 of the properties at Spitfire Green to be let at ‘genuinely affordable rents’ to those on Thanet council’s housing waiting list.
Barratt Homes 106 Ramsgate contributions
Schools and Libraries £1.44m
Sports provision £28k
NHS £256k
Youth services £62k
Community management £1.6m
Community learning £4,8k
Cycling links £125k
Total £3.6m
An enquiry has been sent to Barratt Homes asking when payment of the 106 money for sports provision is expected to be made.
“Miserable” facilities at Jackey Bakers in Ramsgate could be set for revamp
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