Ashwell Neighbourhood Plan Regulation 16 Submission

(1) 12 Infrastructure improvements and provision

12.1 Going forward, the Parish Council is keen to influence the way in which developer contributions are spent in the neighbourhood area to the full extent of its powers under national legislation and planning guidance.

12.2 There are different types of contributions arising from section 106 agreements, section 278 agreements and The Community Infrastructure Levy.

•  a section 106 agreement (based on that section of The 1990 Town and Country Planning Act) or planning obligation is a private agreement made between local authorities and developers and can be attached to a planning permission to make acceptable development which would otherwise be unacceptable in planning terms
•  a section 278 agreement refers to a section of The Highways Act 1980 that allows developers to enter into a legal agreement with the local authority to make alterations or improvements to a public highway as part of a planning application
•  The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is a non-negotiable charge on development based on a fixed rate per square metre of net additional development on a site. Different charge rates apply for different types of uses and in different areas. The levy is intended to fund the provision, improvement, replacement or maintenance of infrastructure required to support development in an area as set out in its local plan. This could include new roads and transport, local amenities such as parks, community centres, schools and health facilities

12.3 NHDC has no immediate plans to introduce the CIL but is keeping the situation under review and may choose to prepare a CIL in future if circumstances change.

12.4 Following the publication of the ANP, the Parish Council will set out a Spending Priority Schedule for developer contributions to be spent on. This will apply to monies raised from development by e.g. section 106 agreements or other planning obligations. It would also apply to any CIL money should that levy be adopted by NHDC.

12.5 The Parish Council intends to regularly review its spending priorities. Any proposed changes will be published for comment by the community and other interested parties. Once finalised, any updated list will be published on the ANP section of the Parish Council website and in relevant literature.