There is £9 billion sitting in local authority accounts across England and Wales, paid by developers, ring-fenced for the communities where new development is happening. Around £3 billion has been waiting for more than five years.
Most of it should be moving.
The money is already raised. The intent is already aligned. What’s missing are the practical structures that would let it flow, and that’s what this paper sets out.
Written with contributions from Town Legal LLP, the paper also draws on a March 2026 roundtable of 22 senior leaders from across local government, development, planning law and the social-value sector. It sets out the three barriers blocking progress, and three practical changes that would unlock £9 billion for communities, councils and developers.
