Test Valley Borough Council is set to begin consultation on its plans for the new Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) – and from Friday 6th December 2013 till 31st January 2014 you can have your say.
The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is a levy that local authorities can choose to charge on new developments in their area. The money can be used to support development by funding infrastructure that the council, local community and neighbourhoods want.
The proposed plans would see the levy charged for new developments in the borough and reinvested in projects to improve highways, sporting and recreational facilities, public transport, community facilities, medical facilities and open spaces.
The Preliminary Draft Charging Schedule (PDCS) consultation will run from Friday 6 December 2013 until Friday 31 January 2014. The draft charging schedule sets out the CIL rates and details of how these will be calculated and applied. Alongside this, the authority will publish a draft Regulation 123 (infrastructure) List, which details how it plans to invest the income from CIL.
The document will be available for comment at www.testvalley.gov.uk, with hard copies available from the council’s offices in Andover and Romsey.
The government intends that CIL will deliver additional funding to enable councils to carry out a range of projects to support the growth of the local area and benefit communities. It will also allow local authorities the flexibility and freedom to set their own priorities for funding projects based on the needs of their communities. For developers, there will be much more certainty about how much money they will have to pay, which increases confidence and encourages investment.
Councillor Martin Hatley, portfolio holder for planning policy and transport, said: “I would urge everyone to provide their feedback on the Preliminary Draft Charging Schedule as the scheme will have a direct impact on funding for local infrastructure projects.”
“When we approve developments we need to make sure that any impact on existing communities is minimised. The money from CIL will enable the council to reinvest back into the community, to ensure residents have access to the facilities they require.”
“This is a chance to have your say on the proposals so don’t miss the opportunity.”
The CIL regulations exempt several types of development from the charge, including affordable housing, development by charitable institutions, changes of use of a property or retail unit that do not increase floorspace and buildings with temporary planning permissions.
Local authorities currently undertake Section 106 agreements to secure developer contributions to improve facilities in the local area. However, the government is set to make changes to Section 106 which will restrict the number of planning obligations local authorities can enter into. This will result in a significant shortfall in funding for infrastructure projects for the benefit of communities. Although the government had originally intended to replace Section 106 agreements with CIL, it has now been agreed that both schemes will continue.
Following the first round of consultation, comments will be reviewed and considered and a Draft Charging Schedule published for comment in summer 2014. An examination in public is anticipated to take place towards the end of 2014. Subject to the results of the examination, it is hoped that the agreed CIL charging schedule will be adopted at the end of next year.
