What Is the Planning Act 2008, CIL & S106 – And Why Developers Should Care About Social Impact

The UK planning system is built upon a series of complex frameworks designed to ensure that when developers benefit from new land use, the surrounding community also benefits. Two of the most important of these mechanisms are the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and Section 106 (S106) agreements, both grounded in the statutory framework introduced by the Planning Act 2008. While developers are fully familiar with these terms, what is often overlooked is the extent to which these contributions can be used to deliver social infrastructure, including mental-health-based youth provision.

As social value becomes central to planning policy, ESG standards, and community expectations, more developers are exploring how they can go beyond compliance and channel funding into impactful, place-based projects. This is where organisations like Soccology, a national non-profit delivering mental health programmes, football pathways, and alternative interventions for disadvantaged boys, become highly relevant.

This blog unpacks what CIL and S106 actually mean for developers, why these contributions matter, and how a non-profit like Soccology can partner with developers to deliver measurable, community-centred outcomes in the areas surrounding their developments.

Understanding the Planning Act 2008 and the Emergence of CIL

The Planning Act 2008 radically altered the funding landscape for infrastructure. Before 2008, local authorities relied heavily on S106 agreements to fund everything from roads to schools. Unfortunately, these agreements were time-consuming, inconsistent between authorities, and often dependent on protracted negotiations.

CIL was introduced as a solution. It is:

  • A non-negotiable charge for most new developments

  • Determined by local planning charging schedules

  • Intended to fund infrastructure improvements needed to support new growth

Local authorities typically use CIL to fund:

  • School expansions

  • Health services

  • Public spaces

  • Transport and accessibility infrastructure

  • Community facilities

  • Youth and social services depending on the authority’s priorities

One of the major misconceptions among developers is that CIL is “just for roads and buildings.” In reality, the Planning Act uses broad definitions of “infrastructure,” and many LPAs now include social and community infrastructure in their funding statements — especially where there is evidence of need around a development site.

Where Section 106 (S106) Fits In

S106 agreements remain essential for:

  • Site-specific mitigation

  • Affordable housing delivery

  • Skills, employment, and training obligations

  • Community and youth services

  • Mental health and wellbeing provision

  • Education contributions

Unlike CIL, S106 is:

  • Negotiated individually

  • Flexible

  • Directly related to the impact of the proposed development

For example, a development that increases local population density, especially in areas with limited youth provision, may trigger a social or community requirement under S106. This is where developers can propose innovative, targeted investments that meet planning obligations while creating positive social outcomes.

Moving Beyond Compliance: Why Social Impact Matters to Developers

The modern planning landscape is evolving. Developers are under increasing pressure to:

  • Demonstrate clear social value

  • Align with ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) priorities

  • Build trust with local communities

  • Reduce planning friction by proactively addressing local needs

  • Strengthen brand reputation and public relations

Community-focused S106 or CIL-linked contributions can help developers:

  • Increase planning approval success

  • Improve community consultation outcomes

  • Reduce objections

  • Strengthen stakeholder relationships

  • Deliver long-term value that enhances the desirability of the area

Mental health, youth programmes, and social wellbeing consistently rank among the highest-priority needs in Infrastructure Funding Statements (IFS) across UK local authorities.

This opens a major opportunity for developers to support impactful work through credible, evidence-based non-profits.

Soccology: A National Non-Profit Delivering Social Infrastructure

Soccology operates across the UK, bringing specialised interventions to disadvantaged boys through:

1. Alternative Interventions

These programmes blend therapeutic practices, mentoring, emotional-intelligence development, and resilience training. Designed specifically for young people who struggle with traditional services, these interventions provide a safe, relatable, culturally informed approach to mental health.

2. Schools Football & Mental Health Programmes

Soccology also works directly with schools nationwide to deliver integrated mental health and football sessions. This includes:

  • Emotional education woven into sports training

  • Development of coping strategies

  • Building self-esteem and self-regulation

  • Training teachers and support staff

  • Providing pathways into further football and education opportunities

Developers looking to invest in place-based social value can fund Soccology programmes in:

  • The borough of their development

  • Areas linked to their S106 obligations

  • Regions where community feedback identifies youth need

  • Neighbourhoods where local authorities have prioritised mental health

Because Soccology operates nationally, they can deliver programmes anywhere developers build.

Why Developers Should Consider Soccology for CIL/S106-Linked Contributions

✔ Alignment with Local Authority Priorities

Mental health, education, youth services, inclusion, and crime reduction are major policy concerns across UK councils — all areas where Soccology delivers measurable results.

✔ High Social Return on Investment

Investment in youth mental health and positive engagement frequently correlates with:

  • Improved school attendance

  • Reduced behavioural issues

  • Decreased demand on public services

  • Better community cohesion

✔ Strong Public Perception and ESG Value

Supporting youth mental health and education is one of the clearest demonstrations of a developer’s commitment to community wellbeing.

✔ Demonstrable Impact and Data Reporting

Soccology can provide:

  • Attendance data

  • Pre- and post-intervention insights

  • Case studies (anonymised)

  • Programme delivery metrics

  • Impact evidence for planning submissions

Turning Planning Obligations Into Community Legacy

Developers often see CIL and S106 as unavoidable costs — essential but not strategic. Soccology helps flip that narrative. When developers invest in local young people, particularly boys who face structural disadvantage, they create infrastructure that lasts for generations.

Mental health-focused youth provision is not just a “nice-to-have”; it is essential social infrastructure that strengthens:

  • Schools

  • Families

  • Neighbourhood safety

  • Economic participation

  • Long-term stability

For developers navigating planning obligations, this means contributions can be leveraged to create meaningful legacy rather than simply meeting compliance demands.

Call to Action

If you are a developer, planning consultant, or local authority interested in aligning your CIL or S106 contributions with impactful, community-centred youth provision, Soccology can deliver tailored programmes in the exact areas where your projects are based.

👉 Get in touch with Soccology to explore how your planning contributions can fund mental health, education, and football-based programmes for disadvantaged boys in your development area.

Kevin GeorgeCommunity Infrastructure Levy (CIL), S106, Section 106Comment