Community Infrastructure and Developer Contributions
The need to do this work has been prompted by changes in CIL regulations governing developer contributions and the questioning of the legitimacy of the current standards used for community infrastructure charging.
Roger Tym & Partners were appointed by Harborough Borough Council to carry out a simple and swift assessment of local community facilities to provide interim guidance on developer contributions charging policy in the light of recent legislative changes and to support the preparation of planning contribution policy of the Local Development Framework Core Strategy.
Some of Harborough’s charging schedules have now been questioned. The Inspector, upholding the appeal for land off Glebe Road, Market Harborough, highlighted in the appeal decision, at paragraph 30 that:
In view of the introduction of CiL, the revised role of S106 planning obligations is intended to be considerably reduced, with some transitionary arrangements whilst Cil is being developed.
We worked closely with key infrastructure service providers within the local authority and sub regionally, with local elected members and with the planning policy team to come forward with a robust approach to identify the key community infrastructure, capacity, future requirement, and cost related to new development.
Steve Pointer – Policy Manager at Harborough District Council said the following about our work:
Roger Tym & Partners were appointed by Harborough Borough Council to carry out a simple and swift assessment of local community facilities to provide interim guidance on developer contributions charging policy in the light of recent legislative changes and to support the preparation of planning contribution policy of the Local Development Framework Core Strategy.
Some of Harborough’s charging schedules have now been questioned. The Inspector, upholding the appeal for land off Glebe Road, Market Harborough, highlighted in the appeal decision, at paragraph 30 that:
“there was no assessment of the state of local infrastructure in respect of community facilities, civic amenities sites and libraries able to serve this development indicating where deficiencies lie and how they would be catered for. …I do not believe the Council has established a need for these facilities that is directly related to the impact of the proposed development. Obligations should not be used to secure contributions to the achievement of wider planning objectives that are not necessary to allow a particular development to proceed.’’
In view of the introduction of CiL, the revised role of S106 planning obligations is intended to be considerably reduced, with some transitionary arrangements whilst Cil is being developed.
We worked closely with key infrastructure service providers within the local authority and sub regionally, with local elected members and with the planning policy team to come forward with a robust approach to identify the key community infrastructure, capacity, future requirement, and cost related to new development.
Steve Pointer – Policy Manager at Harborough District Council said the following about our work:
“I am writing to express my thanks for the recent submission of the above report for this Council. The report was presented to the meeting of the LDF Task Panel yesterday afternoon and members from all sides welcomed the evidence it presents and the analysis contained within it.
We are grateful for your work on this and the ability to make early conclusions available for the infrastructure schedule of our Core Strategy Publication Draft.
Now that we have the final report on capacity issues and costings, we have appropriate evidence for future S106 negotiations and potentially to begin the move to a local infrastructure levy if appropriate.
I was grateful for your efficient and careful assessment process and your constructive approach to working with members of the project team including the local councillors appointed to liaise on the project.
Members commented that the submitted report was clear and well written and have asked that it be reported to the December Executive meeting to adopt formally as evidence to use in S106 negotiations as soon as practical.”
We are grateful for your work on this and the ability to make early conclusions available for the infrastructure schedule of our Core Strategy Publication Draft.
Now that we have the final report on capacity issues and costings, we have appropriate evidence for future S106 negotiations and potentially to begin the move to a local infrastructure levy if appropriate.
I was grateful for your efficient and careful assessment process and your constructive approach to working with members of the project team including the local councillors appointed to liaise on the project.
Members commented that the submitted report was clear and well written and have asked that it be reported to the December Executive meeting to adopt formally as evidence to use in S106 negotiations as soon as practical.”
Further information
