Column by South Gloucestershire Council's cabinet member for communities and local place, Rachael Hunt.

Sports facilities and public open spaces are among the most loved resources in our communities. We are committed to supporting and improving our local sports clubs and green spaces, and since 2015 South Gloucestershire Council’s total investment in these areas is now more than £12 million.

A key source of this funding is developer contributions. Under Section 106 (S106) of the Town and County Planning Act 1990, developers may be required to contribute towards the cost of community facilities when an additional need arises as a result of a new housing development. These include contributions for public open space improvements, which the Council manage and allocate. Funding contributions are negotiated between developers and the Council during the planning application process and this money is then allocated to projects to either provide new facilities or improve the quality and capacity of existing facilities.

The latest recipients of funding are in Charfield and Rangeworthy with more than £350,000 secured from nearby developments upgrading changing facilities, extending clubhouses, creating new play areas and enhancing woodland spaces, helping to keep people of all ages active and to improve nature for those communities.

South Gloucestershire Council also has an ongoing programme of grant applications to enhance the quality of green spaces. As well as securing contributions from developers, funding has additionally been provided by various bodies such as National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) and People’s Postcode Lottery, among other external sources.

We are additionally working with our partners, communities, and residents on the implementation of our Green Infrastructure Strategy, which is our vision for a greener, cleaner and healthier area. The strategy sets out practical steps in an action plan to respond to the Climate and Nature Emergency and aims to strengthen the way we work together towards a shared vision for ‘greener places where people and nature thrive’. For more information about the strategy visit southglos.gov.uk/greenerplaces