Object

Representation ID: 68041

Received: 10/04/2015

Respondent: Crest Strategic Projects

Agent: d2planning

Do not object in principle to the adoption of a Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) however it is essential that the emerging CIL adopts realistic rates of charging so as not to impede the delivery of strategic sites where the initial investment in infrastructure etc. is extremely high. The Council have reduced the CIL rates on strategic sites to between 50% and 60% of the rates for non-strategic sites. Concerned that this would not result in a significant reduction and even at a reduced rate, would still make a number of strategic sites unviable. In view of the high upfront costs they should be exempt from liability for CIL.
The rural areas have all been categorised in the same zone, Zone D - Rural Area. There is no longer recognition that within the rural areas, there is a difference in the land/sales values achieved.This will make a number of developments in the lower value rural areas unviable. Therefore, the draft charging schedule has not recognised differing land/sales values that the viability assessment has identified. A separate Rural Area category in the draft charging schedule should be introduced.
Recommendations:
 Ensure that realistic rates of charging for CIL are adopted
 Strategic sites should be exempt from liability for CIL
 To introduce a separate Rural Area (Lower Value) category in the draft charging schedule to recognize the lower sales values identified in some of the Rural Areas in the district.