People in Bath and North East Somerset are being invited to have their say on how much money land and property developers should contribute towards infrastructure improvements.
They have until 5pm on Thursday, 18th September 2014 to comment on Bath & North East Somerset Council’s recently-published Community Infrastructure Levy Draft Charging Schedule (CIL).
Following the public consultation, the Council plans to introduce a new system of planning charges for developers to fund a wide range of infrastructure needed to support new land and property developments throughout the district.
The levy would largely replace the existing system of Section 106 obligations and would come into force in spring 2015 alongside restrictions on the use of Section 106 planning obligations.
Cllr Paul Crossley (Lib-Dem, Southdown), Leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council, said some of the CIL funds collected would be available for parish and town councils to spend on infrastructure in their own communities where development is taking place.
He added: “One of the key benefits of having an adopted Core Strategy is that we can now move forward in preparing the CIL Charging Schedule.
“Unlike with Section 106 money, the CIL funds will go not just to the Council, but also to the communities the development is going to serve.
“This will give our communities access to, and control over, quite substantial levels of CIL funds and communities will have greater confidence and involvement in planning where future development takes place.”
Cllr Tim Ball (Lib-Dem, Twerton), Cabinet Member for Homes and Planning, added: “The introduction of this levy is a very positive. It is positive for jobs, it is positive for our communities.
“It is very positive for everybody affected in B&NES. It assists our future and it assists our communities working in partnership with the Council and business sectors as well.”
The proposed rates are set out in the Draft Charging Schedule, which can be viewed at www.bathnes.gov.uk/CIL.
The £/square metre charges proposed are based on the size, type and location of the new development.
Most new development, including housing (with the exception of self-build housing and affordable housing), supermarkets and retail warehouses, high street retail development in Bath city centre, hotels and student housing, would be affected by the proposed new levy.
Residents and businesses will also have the chance to comment on the Council’s revised Planning Obligations Supplementary Planning Document, which explains the circumstances where planning obligations and financial contributions would still be required.
These include affordable housing, which is not affected by the introduction of CIL, and site-related infrastructure such as access and open space which is essential for the development to take place.
The Draft Planning Obligations Supplementary Planning Document will also be available to view at the Council’s One Stop Shops and all Public Libraries.
Representations may be made by emailing the Council at [email protected] or writing to Planning Policy, Bath and North East Somerset Council, PO Box 5006, Bath BA1 1JG.
If you require further information or assistance, contact the Planning Policy Team by emailing [email protected] or calling 01225 477548.