Developer contributions - projects funded (S106)
New homes and other buildings create extra demand on local facilities. Where it's not possible to address a development’s impact on site, we seek off-site contributions from developers via agreements known as Section 106s. These payments are used to mitigate impacts by funding new facilities or to expand and improve current amenities in the local area. Below are some projects that have been fully or part-funded by these developer contributions recently.
Latest projects
Canal towpath upgrade
The Grand Union Canal towpath from Red Lion Lane Bridge, Nash Mills to Kings Langley was resurfaced during summer 2023 with a hard-wearing, all-weather path (see before and after photos, below). The improved surface provides an excellent traffic-free route for walkers and cyclists. This project was led by Hertfordshire County Council with the Canal and River Trust. It was primarily funded by Hemel Garden Communities, with ourselves, Three Rivers District Council, Nash Mills Parish Council and Kings Langley Parish Council all contributing.
Developer contributions funding: £8,000.
Completed in financial year 2022-2023
Canal Fields play area
The refurbishment of the Canal Fields play area in Berkhamsted was completed in August 2022. The transformation removed old metal play equipment and replaced it with modern wooden play structures including a castle, train and climbing frames. The play area has a new sand pit and inclusive play equipment, with new slides, swings and benches also installed.
Developer contributions funding: £157,000.
Westwick Field games area
The games area at Westwick Field, Leverstock Green was refurbished in summer 2022 with new basketball equipment and improved surfacing.
Developer contributions funding: £17,800.
Cupid Green playing pitches
We have five football pitches at Cupid Green playing fields - these range from junior pitches to full-size adult pitches. The location suffers from poor drainage, which results in match/practice cancellations or damage to the pitches. Developer contributions have funded new equipment to assist with drainage works and funding for works to improve the playing surface, with the aim of bringing it up to standard within three years.
Developer contributions funding: £121,000 over three years (2022-2023 was the third year).
Improvements to the Nickey Line
The Nickey Line, a former railway line that connected Harpenden and Hemel Hempstead, is a popular cycle route and footpath. It also forms an important green corridor for wildlife. A four-year project funded by developer contributions aims to enhance public access to, and use of, the Nickey Line as a sustainable transport option and for leisure purposes. The project also focuses on improving habitat diversity, and appropriate management of trees near adjacent properties to reduce risk to these buildings.
Developer contributions funding: £146,625 over four years (2022-2023 was the fourth year)
Council housing at Paradise Fields
The Paradise Fields development in St Albans Road, Hemel Hempstead, will provide 58 new apartments all for social rent. It will also provide communal parking and landscaped garden facilities. Work began in summer 2022.
Developer contributions funding: £1.1 million to date.
Hard surfacing of Donkey Lane, Tring
The surface of Donkey Lane in Tring (to the east of the cemetery) was upgraded in spring 2023 to provide a three metre-wide tarmac path/cycleway to enable use in all weathers.
Developer contributions funding: £42,800.
Signage at Buncefield Lane Quietway, Maylands, Hemel Hempstead
Funding was transferred to Hertfordshire County Council for attractive way-finding signs for the Buncefield Lane Quietway. This new pedestrian and cycle route extends from Green Lane in the south to the Nickey Line in the north and gives workers at Maylands and local residents a greater choice of sustainable travel options.
Developer contributions funding: £15,000.
Completed in financial year 2021-2022
Council housing
Nine social housing development proposals and confirmed sites received developer contributions funding in this financial year, totalling almost £2 million. This funding is supporting the creation of more than 250 new council homes for those in housing need across the borough. Two of these projects are shown below.
Coniston Road
This development, which was completed in summer 2022, consists of 10 two-bedroom and three-bedroom homes, including a fully compliant wheelchair house, all for social rent in Kings Langley. The properties are energy-efficient, featuring solar panels and increased insulation. Each home also has an electric vehicle charging point.
Developer contributions funding: £870,000.
Eastwick Row
This social housing scheme, in Adeyfield, Hemel Hempstead, consists of 34 flats in a new block and two three-bedroom houses. The area surrounding the existing blocks will be redesigned to provide more parking spaces as well as creating well-lit paths. Construction has started on site, with work expected to be complete by winter 2023.
Developer contributions funding: £373,000 to date.
3G pitch CCTV system
A CCTV and entry gate system has been installed at Grovehill and Woodhall Farm Adventure Playground’s 3G football pitch. This enhances user safety and also helps prevent damage to the pitch.
Developer contributions funding: £25,000.
Completed in financial year 2020-2021
Adventure Playgrounds refurbishment
The play equipment at Adeyfield and Grovehill and Woodhall Farm Adventure Playgrounds had become rotten and some had been removed, leaving very little play value for visitors. The old structures were replaced with new play equipment in 2020, meeting modern standards which means that the Adventure Playgrounds are now safer and require less maintenance than previously. The playgrounds now include multi-play structures with climbing walls, a sand pit, water play and double tubular slides.
There has been fantastic feedback from users of the sites, with families commenting on how colourful the playgrounds now look and appreciating the more inclusive equipment.
Adeyfield Adventure Playground funding: £70,000.
Grovehill and Woodhall Farm Adventure Playground funding: £109,000.
3G floodlit sports pitches
New 3G artificial turf pitches with floodlighting were installed at Adeyfield and Grovehill and Woodhall Adventure Playground sites in 2020. 3G artificial turf is a very durable, all-weather surface which does not get easily damaged or waterlogged. When combined with the floodlighting this means that the pitches can be used for more hours a day and more days per year than traditional turf pitches.
The Adeyfield 3G pitch measures 35 metres by 18 metres, whilst the Grovehill one has a full-size football pitch (approximately 120 metres by 90 metres). Demand for all-weather sports pitches in the borough is high - these will provide additional facilities that can be used by the public, community and sports clubs. Feedback from users has been very positive since these new facilities opened.
Adeyfield 3G pitch funding: £54,500.
Grovehill and Woodhall Farm 3G pitch funding: £156,500.
Housing at Northend and Westerdale
Williams House, Northend and Howe Grove House, Westerdale in Hemel Hempstead were completed in the summer of 2020. They are two former council garage sites and now provide 12 flats to support residents in need of temporary accommodation. Across the two developments they offer 10 two-bedroom and two one-bedroom flats.
Developer contributions funding: £1.2 million (funded over two years).
Cupid Green tennis/netball courts
The courts at Cupid Green Playing Fields were showing their age. They received a complete resurface, new nets and gates were installed and general improvements were made to the area. The courts reopened in spring 2021. There are four tennis courts and three netball courts available to hire and these can be used by the general public free of charge, with a small charge for organisation or club use - find out more about hiring the courts.
Developer contributions funding: £60,000.
