The Council had proposed to set a flat rate of £200 per square metre for residential developments in Zone A, which covers the southern half of the Borough. In zone B, which covers the northern half of the Borough, it had set a residential rate of £200 per sq m for developments of less than 15 homes which provide solely market housing. A lower rate of £100 per sq m had been set for developments of 15 homes or more which provide a housing mix that includes affordable housing.
For retail developments, the Council had set a draft rate of £65 per sq m to apply to supermarkets and superstores above 500 sq m in Zone C, which covers Dartford town centre. A draft rate of £125 per sq m would apply to retail developments above 500 sq m in Zone D, which covers the rest of the Borough. A nil rate levy had been proposed for all other retail developments across both zones C and D.
The examiner said in his report (8-page / 151KB PDF) that the differentiation based on the scale of retail development was supported by appropriate viability evidence and that there was a functional difference between the two scales which he considered to be in conformity with the CIL Regulations.
Office, industrial, hotel and leisure uses are all subject to a rate of £25 per sq m under the DCS and a Borough-wide nil rate levy would apply to all other types of development.
"In setting the CIL charging rate the Council has had regard to detailed evidence on infrastructure planning and the economic viability evidence of the development market in Dartford Borough. The Council has sought to be realistic in terms of achieving a reasonable level of income to address an acknowledged gap in infrastructure funding, while ensuring that a range of development remains viable across the district," the examiner concluded.
The Council said that the draft charging schedule would be considered for adoption at a Council meeting on 16 December. Subject to approval, it said it expects to implement CIL in the spring 2014.
