The CS set out proposals by the Council to create two charging zones for residential developments. One zone would cover Colliers Wood, Raynes Park and Wimbledon and be subject to a rate of £220 per square metre. The other zone would cover Mitcham, Morden and West Barnes and be subject to a rate of £115 per sq m.
For retail developments, the Council had proposed a borough-wide rate of £110 per sq m and a nil rate levy for all other types of development.
The examiner said in his report (11-page / 69KB PDF) that the proposed rates were based on "reasonable assumptions" about value and likely costs. "The evidence suggests that residential and commercial development will remain viable across most of the area in a number of scenarios if the charge is applied," he said.
The examiner recommended that the CS should be amended to include revised wording for the definition of 'superstores' tabled by the Council at the hearing which removed reference to supermarkets. He said that the revised wording "sufficiently captures what makes superstores distinctive" and that it would minimise practical difficulties in deciding whether the charge should apply to development proposals.
The Council said in a statement that the CS would be recommended for adoption at a Cabinet meeting on 11 November and at a Full Council meeting on 20 November. If adopted, it said the CS would apply from 1 April 2014.
