Fund to improve playing field given boost due to rising interest rates

A fund to improve a playing field in Govilon, near Abergavenny, has been given a £2,000 boost due to rising interest rates. 

Planning permission for 19 new homes on the former site of the village primary school included a condition that the developer make a contribution towards facilities at Govilon Recreation Ground. 

It was expected this would be £62,548 but because the agreement was linked to the rate of inflation the actual amount received by Monmouthshire County Council is £64,549. 

It must transfer the money to Llanfoist Fawr Community Council which is the trustee of the playing field which is protected as a King George V Playing Field. 

A further fund of up to £51,000 will also be created to fund the extension and improvements to the existing play area at the field with cash that must be paid as a contribution by the developers of new housing between the A465 Head of the Valleys Road and the main road in the village. 

As yet it’s unknown how many homes could be built on the site but the maximum is 51 meaning the contribution could be as much as £47,325 which is also linked to inflation.  

The contribution is due to be paid by the developer when a quarter of the total number of homes to be built are occupied. 

That money will also be transferred to the community council and officers from the unitary authority will work with it to plan the improvements and ensure they are carried out in line with the Section 106 agreement, the planning condition used to secure funds for the benefit of the local community. 

The community council will also have to secure permission from Fields in Trust, which was previously known as the National Playing Fields Association, to carry out the improvements.