Examiner William Fieldhouse issued his examination report (15-page / 145 KB PDF) last month. He said that the DCS (19-page / 695 KB PDF) provided "an appropriate basis for the collection of the levy in the borough, excluding those parts of within the South Downs National Park" provided that it was modified to introduce a nil rate for all residential apartment developments.
The inspector said the Council's viability assessment adopted "a reasonable and proportionate approach" and the evidence used to inform the DCS was "robust, proportionate and appropriate". However, Fieldhouse noted the viability assessment had concluded that apartment blocks were not generally viable in the borough, despite an expectation that "around 60% of all new homes in the borough up to 2027 will be in the form of apartment development".
The inspector recommended that a nil rate be introduced for residential apartment development, noting that "applying CIL to apartment development would not only prevent housing needs being met, but would also be unlikely to help to deliver additional infrastructure".
Recommending the schedule for approval, subject to the modification, Fieldhouse said that "the Council should actively monitor the effects of the CIL to ensure that it has an overall positive economic impact and helps to deliver development and necessary infrastructure as set out in the [Council's] core strategy over the coming years".
The Council said it proposed to adopt the charging schedule on 1 April after approval at cabinet and full council meetings in February.