Object

Representation ID: 56610

Received: 23/11/2021

Respondent: South Cambridgeshire District Council

There has been discussions between the Section 106 officer and the parish council about this policy. He considers the principle of asking for contribution fine but that there needs to be a clear idea of what is to be included in the parish improvement plan for cycling etc. There are a number of issues that he considers need to be clarified.

Policy GAM10 mentions Map 10 – it is not clear whether the routes shown on this map are planned or existing routes to be improved. It is a map that includes other policies which distract from the cycling routes.

It is not clear whether the contributions set out in GAM10 are to be calculated on the gross internal floor area or gross external floor are. Are the contributions to be chargeable on extensions to existing business premises or whether (as currently worded) it is only chargeable on new units. Is there to be an intended floor on contributions (i.e. no contributions are payable where the total payable would be less than say £500?)

Clarification is needed as to whether the rates are subject to annual increase in indexation and if so which indexation is to be used. SCDC would suggest that indexation is applied annually from the date the plan is made by reference to BCIS All in Tender.

Policy GAM10 requires contributions of £21 per m2 of floor space (for business developments), and £10 per m2 of floor space (for housing developments). An explanation is needed as to why the housing contribution is £10 rather than £29 that Appendix 3 would suggest is the most appropriate figure to use. Consideration could be given to reducing the contribution for major developments where in kind works to provide new paths are required.

The plan should explain how much money is expected to be generated during the life of the plan, what alternative funding sources may exist and whether there are any particular priority areas in the event that the full amount is not secured.

The plan should explain whether there is County Council support for this proposal both in Cambridgeshire and Central Bedfordshire. We would imagine this is a key point to the implementation of the policy.

The plan should explain the delivery mechanism for provision of new footpaths, i.e. will this be direct Parish Council commissioning.