ANGUS IS tightening up on the monitoring of pledges made by developers to support infrastructure developments across the county.
The planning obligations, formerly known as planning or Section 75 agreements, are a recognised feature of the planning process and can include a commitment to make a contribution towards open space, education, roads or affordable housing provision.
Angus infrastructure services director Eric Lowson said: “Developer contributions are an important element of the planning system as they can overcome obstacles to the grant of planning permission.”
Figures presented to councillors revealed that potential contributions of £1.841 million have been accrued in the period from January 2007 to December last year.
However, since payments are not generally required until developments have commenced, significant sums are still to be paid to the authority.
Of a potential education income of £898,000, just £3,000 has been paid, with only £44,000 of a £425,000 open space contribution received so far. No payments are overdue.
Mr Lowson added: “A planning obligations monitoring group has been established in order to ensure a more robust means of monitoring payment of developer contributions and to ensure that appropriate action is taken to pursue any contributions that are overdue.”