People living in St Stephen ward in St Albans are looking for their share of money from a major redevelopment scheme.

Members of St Stephen Parish Council have expressed disappointment at the way money paid by the developer of the Harperbury Hospital site is being allocated in the parish, following the development's approval last November.

According to parish council chairman Cllr Mick Freeman, every time the council bids for the funds, the money is always earmarked by St Albans District Council for other projects.

The 'Section 106' money is a planning obligation under which a developer agrees to pay financial compensation for the impact of a building scheme.

Cllr Freeman says the parish council made a number of requests to the district council for funding to improve the parish’s sporting facilities.

But when the council applied for funding for Greenwood Park, it was told it was too far away from the Harperbury Hospital site.

When it requested funding to help improve Park Street Recreation Ground, it was told the Section 106 money from the development had already been earmarked.

Cllr Freeman said: “It is disappointing that all these requests have been turned down by the district council as they do not consider the parish facilities, even those at Park Street Recreation Ground, to be close enough to the development.

“Improvements to playground facilities in this ward are a top priority, and while we appreciate everyone wants to bid for Section 106 money, every time we seem to put a bid in for 106 funding it is always earmarked for some other project.”

St Albans District Council announced on Monday (February 1) that it had around £1.2 million, provided by developers, for projects to enhance the district.

More than half the money is earmarked for a series of initiatives, including an approximately £50,000 revamp of the Verulamium Park play area.

The district council sayshas said that money is yet to be allocated and it is currently asking councillors in each ward for their ideas on how money can best be spent.

Cllr Julian Daly, who is responsible for planning and conservation at the district council, said: “We want to make the best possible use of this Section 106 money and that means involving people in the wards concerned. They know the local area and what is needed.

“We continue to meet with ward councillors to let them know what is available and to listen to their ideas.

"The interest of town and parish councils is very welcome as they know their communities.”