West Devon developers hit with major change over school funding

Councillors have approved an updated policy meaning developers building new homes across West Devon will now have to increase their financial contributions towards education by around a fifth.

The money, known as Section 106 contributions, helps provide extra school places when new housing developments are built. 

Under the new policy, a greater share will go towards nursery places and children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

The change was agreed at Devon County Council’s Development Management Committee last Wednesday (September 17). 

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Councillors were told the cost of creating school places has seen a sharp rise in recent years.

Figures from the Department for Education show the average cost of building a new school place in England is now over 20 per cent higher than in 2021. 

The cost of a primary school place has gone up from £20,305 to £24,659, while secondary places have risen from £24,682 to £29,874.

For developments of ten or more family homes, developers will also now have to support early years provision in areas where there is a shortage of nursery spaces.

Councillor Michael Mitchell, Chair of the Development Management Committee, said: “This policy continues to ensure that Devon County Council, as Local Education Authority, is able to request money from developers in areas where there is an education shortfall or need.

“We have updated it to reflect the reality of how much it costs in 2025 to provide the education that our children deserve. It will be applied fairly, in line with national policy, and contributions will be index-linked so they rise with inflation.”

He added that the council will work with district planning authorities and developers to balance the need for school places with the delivery of affordable homes.