Developers applying to build homes or offices on land within the vast majority of the Runnymede borough boundary will soon need to pay towards the cost of new infrastructure. Councillors have just adopted a set of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) charges, which are allowed for under the Planning Act. The money raised will be used to help fund infrastructure like improvements to roads, schools, parks, playgrounds and other community facilities.
Incentive for local areas
Within the CIL rules, there is an important incentive for communities to organise themselves so they can benefit from the developers’ payments.
Areas of the Borough which have a Neighbourhood Plan in place can have up to 25% of the total payment from an application spent in the area. Communities which do not have a plan will have up to 15% spent within their area.
In both cases, spending would be agreed in consultation with residents where possible.
Currently four communities are in the progress of developing a Neighbourhood Plan:
- Englefield Green
- Ottershaw
- Thorpe
- Virginia Water
Cllr Myles Willingale, Chairman of the Council’s Planning Committee, said: “I would encourage all local areas of the Borough to think about how they can work together to set up a neighbourhood forum and create a plan. The benefit is significant and a prime example of how the Council is supporting local people by giving them a direct way to influence improvements where they live.
“The rules around approving or rejecting planning applications are strict and set by Government and local planning policies, but the ability for us to set a charge means there should now be a level of benefit from the majority of successful applications.”
From 1 March 2021 organisations submitting a planning application that proposes more than100 square metres of additional floor space, or one or more new homes, will need to pay the charge unless they are exempt. Exemptions are limited but include social housing schemes, charitable development, residential extensions, annexes and self-build housing. The Community Infrastructure Levy is a non-negotiable charge, which is calculated on a pounds per square metre basis. Different charges exist in different areas of the Borough.
The CIL Charging Schedule and further guidance on the charge is available to view on the Council’s website at https://www.runnymede.gov.uk/CIL