29 Jan 2013, 2:05 pm
The PDCS (17-page / 1MB PDF) proposes that the Council's area is divided into three charging zones with differential rates for residential developments.
Area A will cover the majority of Central Bedfordshire and the Council has proposed that a rate of £225 per square metre will apply. The proposed rate for Area B, which covers urban settlements including Biggleswade, Sandy, Dunstable and Houghton Regis, is £150 per sq m. Area C, which covers the proposed North Houghton Regis Strategic Urban Extension, is subject to a proposed rate of £45 per sq m.
The Council said in its viability study (47-page / 1.58MB PDF) that the higher proposed rate for Area A reflects the higher house prices and land values within the area.
For retail developments, the Council proposes that large superstores of 2,500 square metres and above will be subject to a rate of £200 per sq m. All other retail uses are subject to a proposed rate of £100, however a proposed zero rate levy will apply to any 'Town Centre Comparison' retail developments.
The Council said in its viability study that its tests on town centre retail had suggested that these were not able to support a CIL charge.
The consultation will run until 25 February. The Council said it hopes to adopt CIL in April 2014.
