Views on how planning applications can benefit communities sought
Published: Monday, 25 April, 2016
Residents are being asked for their views on how new developments should fund infrastructure development across the district.
Mark Russell, Stroud District Council’s planning strategy manager, said:
“The government’s Community Infrastructure Levy allows council’s to raise money from housing development projects, including individual houses, and use it to build infrastructure and improve the area. The money raised would go into a pot and could then be used for roads, public transport, schools and nurseries, green spaces, community halls and a wealth of other initiatives to benefit the wider community. We’d like the views of local people, town and parish councils, developers and any other interested groups to see if they agree with our approach.”
The new system would mean that any new home developments or home extensions of over 100 square metres in size would be subject to a fee of £80 per square metre. Fifteen percent of the income would then go directly to the local parish or town council with those with an adopted neighbourhood plan receiving a further 10%. The remainder would go into a fund to make improvements across the district.
Mr Russell added:
“The existing system requires councils to negotiate with individual developers, mainly on larger schemes, but it can be a very cumbersome process which delays planning applications and makes it difficult to meet the priorities of the local community. The proposed non-negotiable flat rate system will be simpler and quicker for all parties leading to an overall benefit for the community and we’d like to hear people’s views.”
The new levy is aimed at housing and retail developments. With the exception of retail developments, which would pay £75 per square metre, employment land will not be subject to the levy. Affordable housing, housing for older people, charity developments and some brownfield sites within the Stroud valleys will also be exempt from the charges as will projects which bring vacant buildings back into use.
Details of the Community Infrastructure Levy consultation are available at www.stroud.gov.uk/cilconsultation. The consultation runs from Wednesday 27 April 2016 to 5pm on Wednesday 8 June 2016. Documents can be viewed on the council’s website, at Ebley Mill, local libraries and parish council offices open to the public. Representations should be made in writing, via the council’s website or by email to local.plan@stroud.gov.uk or sent to: CIL consultation, The Planning Strategy Team, Stroud District Council, Ebley Mill, Westward Road, Stroud, GL5 4UB.