Authorities should adopt a proactive and collaborative approach to development proposals to achieve the best solution for sport and recreation. There are major benefits in giving developers clear pre-application advice for large schemes. A range of skills may need to be drawn into the process. These may include:

• Leisure officer;
• Landscape officer;
• Planning officer;
• Legal expertise; and
• Architectural expertise.

Authorities should identify staff members from these departments who can form part of an informal ‘negotiating team’.  A number of authorities have s106 officers, who manage the process, and draw in relevant expertise when required. They also monitor the outcome of schemes.

Team working may be particularly important for large schemes that are not amenable to standard agreements, but will require one-off negotiation.

Click here for a checklist of matters to be considered in drawing up one-off agreements