Development Contribution

What is a development contribution?

A development contribution is a payment made to the Local Authority so that public and social infrastructure and facilities may be funded for and provided by the Local Authority. The Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) provides the statutory basis for applying development contributions to a grant of planning permission and the Development Contribution Scheme sets out how this is to be applied.

The making of the schemes is a reserved function of the elected members of the Local Authority, and the schemes can increase flexibility for Local Authorities in relation to the range of projects that can be funded from development levies. They also provide greater transparency and clarity on how levies are assessed and applied to varying development categories. The schemes can also help to ensure that Local Authorities can manage and maintain growth by providing key infrastructure to support local economies and communities.

Types of Development Contributions

There are three types of development contributions may be attached as conditions to a planning permission:

1. General Development Contributions – these generally benefit development in the area
2. Special Development Contributions – these benefit very specific requirements for the proposed development
3. Supplementary Development Contributions – these facilitate a particular public infrastructure service or project where the likes of a public-private partnership exist

General Development Contributions

These contribution schemes apply in respect of public infrastructure and facilities provided by or on behalf of the Local Authority that benefit development in the Local Authority's functional area. Under a general development contribution scheme, the Planning Authority does not need to show a direct connection between the development contribution paid and works done which facilitate the development. However, it is important that the Planning Authority is satisfied that the basis for determining the contribution levels can be adequately justified and supported. The types of public infrastructure and facilities that can be funded by the Development Contribution Scheme are:

(a) the acquisition of land,

(b) the provision of open spaces, recreational and community facilities and amenities and landscaping works,

(c) the provision of roads, car parks, car parking places, surface water sewers and flood relief work, and ancillary infrastructure,

(d) the provision of bus corridors and lanes, bus interchange facilities (including car parks for those facilities), infrastructure to facilitate public transport, cycle and pedestrian facilities, and traffic calming measures,

(e) the refurbishment, upgrading, enlargement or replacement of roads, car parks, car parking places, surface water sewers, flood relief work and ancillary infrastructure,

(f) the provision of high-capacity telecommunications infrastructure, such as broadband, (g) the provision of school sites, and

(h) any matters ancillary to paragraphs (a) to (g).

Special Development Contributions

In addition to the terms of a General Development Contribution Scheme, the Local Authority may require the payment of a Special Development Contribution in respect of a particular development where specific exceptional costs not covered by a scheme are incurred by Leitrim County Council in respect of public infrastructure and facilities which benefit the proposed development. Leitrim County Council will specify in a planning condition attached to the grant of planning permission the particular works carried out or proposed to be carried out to which the contribution relates. Example of developments which may require Special Development Contributions would be in the case of an intensive employment activity requiring an upgrade of a junction or of refurbishment or road widening works required to facilitate the transportation of abnormal loads associated with a wind farm development. The Act makes provision for the reimbursement of Special Development Contributions if the specified works are not carried out.

Supplementary Development Contributions

Under Section 49 of the Act, a Planning Authority may, when granting planning permission include conditions requiring the payment of a contribution in respect of any public infrastructure service or project specified in a “Supplementary Development Contribution Scheme” which is provided by a local authority, and which will directly benefit the development on which the development contribution is imposed.

Development Contribution Charges

Development Contribution Scheme 2023-2026