This guide reflects and elaborates on Government policy objectives in PPG 17.  It focuses largely on how local authorities could carry out local assessments of need and audits of provision.  It also gives indications of some aspects of planning obligations current at the time the guide was completed in 2002.

The Guide:

1. suggests that even where quantitative standards in an area will not be exceeded after a new development has taken place, if the quality of facilities will still be below standard, then developer contributions to enhancements may be sought [para 9.9, p 56];
2. suggests authorities should include a minimum acceptable size within provision standards for facilities allowing a distinction between on-site provision and off-site contributions to be made [para 6.15, p 37];
3. suggests relevant cost elements for off site provision may include;
• land costs and related legal fees;
• construction costs and design fees;
• costs of essential equipment;
• VAT, if not recoverable [para 6.22, p 40];
4. suggests a period of five years before the repayment of unused contributions could be appropriate [para 9.7, p 55];
5. suggests that commuted sums for maintenance should be based on:
• estimated annual cost of maintenance;
• assumed rate of inflation;
• assumed discount rate; and
• number of years for which maintenance is to be sought [para 6.22, p 40];
6. suggests, by implication, that a 10 year maintenance period for open space may be acceptable [p39];
7. Suggests commuted establishment sums may be sought for some items, (eg new cricket pitch, landscaping) for periods of up to five years [paras 6.24-5, p 41-2].

Click here to view the full companion guide Assessing Needs and Opportunities: A Companion Guide toPPG 17