Under the DCS (14-page / 386 KB PDF), a nil rate has been proposed for residential developments with 15 or more homes on brownfield sites; with six or more homes on greenfield sites which are rural exceptions sites (RESs) or located within Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs); and with 11 or more homes on other greenfield sites.
A charge of £70 per sq m would apply for brownfield residential developments with fewer than 15 homes; for developments of fewer than six homes on RESs or within AONBs; and those with fewer than 11 homes on other greenfield sites.
A nil rate would apply to retail and 'food and drink' developments in the town centres of Torquay, Paignton and Brixham and the St Marychurch and Preston district centres, under the DCS.
Everywhere else in the Council's administrative area, 'food and drink' developments would attract a rate of £120 per sq m and different charges have been proposed for the development of shops, depending on the size of the shops and the type of goods sold. A nil rate levy would apply to shops with a floorspace of less than 300 sq m, whilst those with a floorspace of 300 sq m or more would be charged £150 per sq m. A separate charge of £120 per sq m would apply to 'retail warehouses' selling 'bulky non-food' items.
A nil rate has been proposed for all other development in the district, including offices, hotels, leisure facilities and premises for financial and professional services.
The consultation on the DCS is open until 23 March.