Residents have until midnight on Friday, August 23, to share their thoughts on Cherwell District Council’s Draft Community Infrastructure Levy Charging Schedule.
A Community Infrastructure Levy is a charge local authorities can levy on new development, including housing developments, to ensure the correct infrastructure supports new homes.
As well as housing sites, places of employment like supermarkets and warehouses could also be liable to pay the levy.
Cherwell District Council’s offices (Image: Ed Nix)
Local authorities have the freedom to spend the funds collected from the levy as they see fit within their jurisdiction to address infrastructure needs.
The consultation is allowing people to share their thoughts on the proposed levy rates, charging areas, discretionary reliefs, and viability report.
Councillor Jean Conway, portfolio holder for planning and development management, said: “We are committed to providing the housing and places of work that our communities need.
“But as they are brought forward, it’s also our role to make sure developers provide funding for the correct infrastructure to support them, be that schools, active travel, open spaces or connectivity.
“The Community Infrastructure Levy would be a flexible new way for the council to generate this funding.
“We look forward to hearing from residents and other stakeholders before further work on this emerging policy is done.”
If implemented, the levy could also benefit town and parish councils, who can receive 15 per cent of the amounts collected. This rises to 25 per cent if they have a neighbourhood plan.
The funds from the levy would be in addition to what is already collected through Section 106 agreements (s106).
This is another mechanism for funding new infrastructure, using legal agreements with developers building large developments in the district.
Unlike s106 agreements, a Community Infrastructure Levy could address the cumulative impact of smaller developments on existing infrastructure.
Before it could be implemented, the levy would need to undergo an independent examination.
People can submit their views either by completing the online survey on the district council’s website, completing and returning a downloadable version of the survey, emailing their comments to Planningpolicyconsultation@cherwell-dc.gov.uk, or by writing to the Planning Policy Team at Cherwell District Council.
A name and address is required and any comments received will be made publicly available, so anonymous or confidential comments will not be accepted.
Information provided will be stored on a Cherwell District Council database and used solely in connection with the consultation.