Utilising CIL and Section 106 Funding for Sports Facilities

Commiunity Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and Section 106 (S106) contributions can provide valuable funding for new and improved sports facilities, helping communities create places that encourage participation, improve wellbeing and support growing populations. This guide explains how CIL and Section 106 funding works, the types of projects it can support and how organisations can identify opportunities in their local area.

While funding may be available, developing a deliverable project and securing planning approval can be challenging. Our in-house Professional Services team can help develop practical, cost-effective design concepts and successfully manage the planning process, creating a clear pathway from funding opportunity to completed community sports facilities and outdoor open spaces.

The Arc in Burgess Hill, funded by Section 106 developer contributions and delivered by S&C Slatter

What Are CIL and Section 106 Contributions?

Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)
The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is a charge that local authorities can apply to new developments. The funds raised are used to support the infrastructure needed to accommodate growth, including transport improvements, schools, healthcare facilities, open spaces and sports provision. CIL funding is collected and administered by the local authority, with investment intended to benefit both new and existing communities.

Section 106 Contributions
Section 106 (S106) contributions are planning obligations agreed between a developer and the local planning authority as part of the planning process. Unlike CIL, which supports wider infrastructure needs, Section 106 funding is typically linked to mitigating the specific impact of a development. This may include funding for sports facilities, public open space, play areas, community buildings, highways or environmental improvements serving the local area.

What’s the Difference between CIL and S106?
The key difference is that CIL funding is generally pooled to support strategic infrastructure priorities across a wider area, while Section 106 contributions are usually tied to specific developments and intended to address their direct impact on local communities. Both can provide valuable opportunities to fund new or improved sports and recreation facilities.

Why Is There So Much Unspent CIL Funding?

While many local authorities hold significant amounts of CIL funding, turning available funds into deliverable projects can be challenging. Before construction can begin, facilities must be designed, costed and often taken through the planning process, with considerations such as biodiversity, drainage, lighting and community impact addressed along the way.

With competing priorities and limited resources, projects can take time to progress, leaving funding unspent.

For schools, sports clubs, parish councils and community organisations, this creates an opportunity to bring forward well-planned proposals that address local needs and unlock investment in new sports facilities.

What Sports Facilities Can CIL and S106 Funding Support?

CIL and Section 106 contributions can often be used to support new or improved sport, recreation and community infrastructure where a clear local need exists. Eligible projects may include:

Sports pitches, courts, and athletics facilities
Multi Use Games Areas (MUGAs)
Sports clubs and community organisations
Play areas and outdoor activity spaces
Outdoor gyms and fitness trails
Pavilions, clubhouses and changing facilities
Paths, access roads, parking and landscaping

Funding is typically awarded to projects that address a recognised local need and deliver clear community benefits, such as increased participation in sport, improved wellbeing or enhanced accessibility.

If your organisation has identified a need for new or improved sports facilities, CIL or Section 106 funding may provide a route to make your project possible.

Who Can Apply for CIL and Section 106 Funding?

Organisations that successfully secure support through CIL and Section 106 funding commonly include:

Local authorities
Parish and town councils
Sports clubs and community organisations
Schools, academies and multi-academy trusts
Colleges and universities
Leisure trusts and facility operators
Registered charities
Not-for-profit organisations

If your organisation has identified a need for new or improved sports facilities, CIL or Section 106 funding may provide a route to make your project possible.

Wootten Upper School, 3G pitch and cricket nets funded by Section 106 contributions and delivered by S&C Slatter

How Can I Find CIL and Section 106 Funding Opportunities?

Many local authorities publish an annual Infrastructure Funding Statement (IFS) detailing how much CIL and Section 106 funding has been collected, spent and allocated. Searching for your local authority’s Infrastructure Funding Statement is often the best place to start.

If you have identified a need for new or improved sports facilities, our Professional Services team can help assess opportunities, develop project concepts and support discussions with local authorities.

How S&C Slatter Helps Turn Funding Into Deliverable Projects

Securing funding is only the first step. To unlock investment, projects must be practical, affordable and capable of gaining planning approval.

Our in-house Professional Services team works with councils, schools, sports clubs and community organisations to develop viable facility concepts, prepare cost plans and navigate the planning process. We can help address key considerations including biodiversity net gain (BNG), drainage, lighting, noise and accessibility, reducing risk and improving deliverability.

Once approvals are secured, our construction teams can deliver everything from pitches, courts and athletics facilities to community recreation spaces, pavilions and supporting infrastructure.

From initial concept through to project completion, we provide a single, trusted partner to help transform funding opportunities into facilities that benefit communities for generations.

Call 01635 34521 or email enquiries@sandcslatter.com for an informal and confidential discussion about your project.

Case Study: The Arc, Burgess Hill

Funded through Section 106 developer contributions, The Arc is a major new sports hub providing high-quality facilities for local clubs, schools and the wider community.

The project includes a floodlit 3G football pitch, an all-weather rugby pitch, natural turf football pitches, cricket facilities, a play area and eco-friendly changing facilities. Together, these facilities have created a year-round destination for sport, recreation and community activity.

S&C Slatter’s Professional Services team supported the development of practical, deliverable solutions during the pre-construction phase, helping address planning, biodiversity and buildability considerations. Subsequently appointed as principal contractor, we delivered the complete facility, providing a single point of accountability and transforming developer contributions into a lasting community asset.

Discover more at The Arc website.

Case Study: Cobham Rugby Club

Section 106 funding helped deliver a high-performance floodlit 3G rugby pitch that serves both Cobham Rugby Club and Cobham Free School.

The shared-use facility provides year-round access to sport, increases playing capacity and creates lasting value for players, students and the wider community—demonstrating how developer contributions can be transformed into facilities that benefit local people for generations.

Working closely with the club, S&C Slatter’s Professional Services team helped develop the facility concept, support the planning process and establish a strategy for securing funding. Following approval, we delivered the new 3G pitch and associated infrastructure, transforming a funding opportunity into a high-quality community sports facility.

Learn more on the Cobham Free School website.

Why Choose S&C Slatter?

Working with councils, schools, sports clubs, leisure operators, architects, consultants and developers, S&C Slatter has over 35 years of experience delivering high-quality sports facilities and outdoor open spaces across the UK. Clients choose us because we offer:

Complete sports facility design, construction and maintenance services.

In-house Professional Services expertise.

Highly experienced in working to UK and International governing body standards.

Practical understanding of live school, university, club and public-sector environments.

(Optional) Integrated delivery of fencing, surfacing, lighting, drainage, landscaping and ancillary works.

Strong project management and a single point of accountability.

Financial stability, including an independent Creditsafe A rating.

Reputation for quality, integrity and considerate construction.

Large portfolio of reference projects

Whether you are planning a new sports facility, upgrading an existing venue, or designing an outdoor place S&C Slatter can transform your idea from ambition to community asset. Call 01635 34521 or email to learn more.

Pico Park, Harwell Campus - Designed by Adam Frost and delivered by S&C Slatter

For more information call 01635 34521 or email enquiries@slattersportsconstruction.com