Sedgemoor Council consults on CIL Preliminary Draft Charging Schedule

The Council's CIL Charging Schedule proposes two charging zones for residential development, dependent on the location. A single charging zone is proposed for all other types of development.

"Viability evidence suggests that a two tier CIL charge on residential development is appropriate with a lower charge for residential development in Bridgwater and Burnham & Highbridge compared with the remainder of the District," the Council's Preliminary Draft CIL Charging Schedule (6-pages / 408KB PDF) said. 

The Council has proposed a rate of £50 per square metre for residential development in urban areas and a rate of £150 in all other areas across the Authority's area.

For large retail development in Sedgemoor's charging area, the Council has proposed a rate of £100 per sq m for all large retail developments that are over 6,000 sq m in size.

It is proposed that hotel development would be charged at £200 per sq m and all other development would be subject to a zero rate levy on development.

"The evidence identifies scope for charging CIL on large retail development above 6,000 sq m and hotel developments," the Charging Schedule said. "However all other development, including industrial, warehousing and other commercial is not able to support CIL on viability grounds."

The Council said that its Regulation 123 'infrastructure list' is likely to be restricted to “core infrastructure” and items where contributions need to be pooled, given the relatively low rates of CIL likely to be viable.

"It might include for example flood defences, children’s open space, outdoor sports provision, and sustainable transport," the Council said. "Other items such as affordable housing, site specific highway works and education contributions would be negotiated via S.106 agreements," it said.

The consultation is open for comments until 25 September.