Over £1.8m of developer funding invested in West Oxfordshire communities

From new and improved sports facilities to affordable and accessible homes, community safety measures and improvements to public spaces, the funding is being used to support facilities and services that make a difference to residents’ everyday lives. 

Alongside increasing investment in projects, the Council secured almost £3.4 million in new Section 106 (S106) contributions during 2025/26, helping to make sure new development continues to contribute towards the infrastructure communities need. 

S106 funding comes from developers who contribute towards local infrastructure and facilities needed as a result of new development. 

While some contributions are currently recorded as pooled, this does not mean there are no plans for the money. Funding can already be earmarked for infrastructure while a project is being developed, but is only formally recorded as allocated once the project is ready and the funding has been approved. 

For larger projects, contributions may also need to build up over time before there is enough funding to deliver them. 

Projects being progressed include improvements to Marriotts Walk, Witney High Street and Market Square and the Witney Wayfinding project, which are expected to have funding allocated during the current financial year. 

Around £1.3 million of investment supported sport and recreation facilities across the district, including improvements at West Witney Sports and Social Club and Hanborough Pavilion. 

In Bampton, funding has helped transform Buckland Road Recreation Ground, with an expanded skate park, new Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) and padel court, as well as improvements to the tennis courts including new floodlighting. 

In Aston, developer funding has helped deliver a new MUGA at Cote Road Recreation Ground, providing a flexible space for football, basketball, netball, hockey and tennis, with lighting allowing people to use the facility throughout the year. 

Developer funding has also supported a specially adapted bungalow for a local family, creating an accessible home that gives a young wheelchair user greater independence. 

In Chadlington, funding has helped refurbish the Old Bakehouse supported living accommodation, enabling older residents to continue living independently in their community, close to family and support networks. 

Other investment has helped fund community safety measures, flood resilience, improvements to town centres and public spaces, and arts and cultural projects across the district. 

Cllr Liz Leffman, Executive Member for Planning and Infrastructure at West Oxfordshire District Council, said: 

“As a Council, we have been clear that infrastructure must keep pace with growth. As new homes are built, we need to make sure development is supported by the facilities and services our communities need. 

“To enable this, we have been committed to ensuring S106 funding is directed where it is needed most, getting that money into our communities, and this report shows we have turned a corner. Alongside introducing the Community Infrastructure Levy, we are making sure new development contributes towards the infrastructure our communities need. 

“These projects show the real difference that funding can make, from giving people more opportunities to be active to helping residents live more independently. We know there is more money to put to work, and we will keep working with our partners to turn that funding into improvements for communities across West Oxfordshire.” 

The Council is continuing to work with local partners to bring forward more projects that can benefit from developer funding.