Oxfordshire County Council has approved a new accelerated delivery plan designed to fast-track the use of developer contributions across the county, unlocking millions of pounds for vital community projects.
The scheme will release £27.5 million in Section 106 (S106) funding – money paid by developers to support local infrastructure in areas affected by new housing and commercial developments.
The council’s cabinet approved the accelerated delivery plan to invest £4 million of additional funding, agreed in the 2025/26 budget, to speed up 33 local infrastructure schemes that had faced delays due to various barriers and funding gaps.
The projects have been selected based on local priorities and aim to improve transport, connectivity, and the quality of life for residents.
The programme covers a broad range of improvements, including 16 active travel schemes designed to encourage walking and cycling, two bus service enhancement projects, six combined bus and cycle schemes, five village and traffic calming initiatives, two junction upgrades, and two strategic road link improvements.
Together, these projects represent a significant boost for communities across Oxfordshire.
Councillor Judy Roberts, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Place, Environment and Climate Action, said:
“Our S106 reserves have been in the spotlight in recent years, and it is only right and proper that public money comes under this high level of scrutiny. We are proud of our record of securing S106 contributions from developers to pay for the infrastructure that communities need.
“However, the process of making sure that money is spent promptly is far from simple. That’s why we are continually investigating ways of speeding up the delivery process for the benefit of residents. This accelerated delivery plan should help unlock the funding required to enable work to begin on these much-needed projects.”
Section 106 funding is specifically tied to the developments that generate it and cannot be used for general council services.
These funds are typically allocated to large, complex projects that can take years to come forward, with spending often dependent on when certain development milestones – or “trigger points” – are reached. This complexity has sometimes slowed down the delivery of community benefits, despite significant reserves being available.
The rate of spending from Oxfordshire’s S106 reserves has increased in recent years as the council works to deliver the infrastructure needed to support growth in towns and villages.
The new accelerated delivery plan is designed to maintain that momentum, ensuring residents see faster results from developer-funded projects and that Oxfordshire’s infrastructure keeps pace with its expanding communities.
