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Councillor T. Schofield, Executive Member for Planning and Development reported on the proposals to adopt a new Developer Contributions Supplementary Planning Document (SPD). The proposed SPD provided updated guidance to developers and stakeholders about the approach which the Council would take, and the mechanisms which it would use, to secure infrastructure from new development and the process that applicants would follow when preparing and submitting planning applications.
The guidance reflected the recently introduced Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Charging Schedule for the borough and the resultant changes in the way the Council was able to use section 106 agreements.
The SPD had been the subject of statutory public consultation and a small number of amendments had been made to the document in light of comments received.
Alongside adoption of the new SPD the Executive Member also indicated that it was proposed to formally revoke two existing SPDs namely the Planning Obligations and Infrastructure SPD and the Horley Infrastructure SPD. It was noted that these had become out of date as a result of the introduction of CIL in the borough and arising from government regulation restrictions. Revoking these documents would ensure that the Council’s published policy position was clear and unambiguous.
Additionally, Councillor T. Schofield emphasised that the adoption of the Developer Contributions SPD would assist with the smooth operation of CIL and would support the implementation of the Council’s Core Strategy in particular Policy CS12: Infrastructure Delivery. It would also become a material consideration to be taken into account when determining planning applications.
The Executive noted that although it would take time for Developer Contributions, through CIL, to accumulate work was already underway to identify spending priorities. The Executive Member reminded the Executive that the broad framework for this had been endorsed in January and that as the detailed proposals were shaped up they would be the subject of further discussion with Members.
RESOLVED that:
(i) the outcomes of the public consultation (Annex 1 of the report presented) be noted and the Developer Contributions Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) (Annex 2 of the report presented) be adopted with immediate effect;
(ii) the Head of Places and Planning be authorised, in consultation with the Executive Member for Planning and Development, to make any necessary minor amendments to the document prior to publication; and
(iii) the Planning Obligations and Infrastructure SPD (2008) and Horley Infrastructure SPD (2008) be revoked. Reasons for decision: To ensure that guidance was in place to support the smooth operation of CIL, provide clarity to stakeholders about the use of developer contributions and the processes which they should follow from the new guidance and to revoke out of date guidance. Alternative options: To not adopt the Developer Contribution SPD or revoke the existing out dated guidance documents.
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