HIGHER than average charges are to be levied by Waverley on developers to help bridge the borough’s “£128 million” infrastructure funding gap.

The borough council’s proposed Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) charging schedule was produced following two rounds of public consultation last year. It is now being scrutinised by an independent examiner for the Planning Inspectorate.

If approved, the financial contributions received will be used to improve roads, schools, parks, playgrounds and other community facilities across the borough - largely replacing the existing system of ‘Section 106’ contributions.

Based on an independent appraisal by consultants Three Dragons and Troy Planning, Waverley proposes to charge a base rate for residential development of £433 per square metre. This will apply to market housing only – affordable housing and self and custom-build schemes are exempt from CIL.

The rate will be reduced to £405 per sq m where the development must contribute towards Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG) to offset its impact on the Special Protection Areas to the north and south of Farnham.

Smaller schemes of 10 or less homes outside designated rural areas and schemes of between one and five homes without affordable housing, will be expected to pay a higher CIL rate of £470 per sq m without SANG and £449 per sq m with SANG.

CIL rates for non-residential development are more modest, ranging from £25 to £95 per sq m and these rates only apply to various forms of new build retail development. There is no CIL proposed for offices, industrial development or other non-residential uses.

Waverley estimates it will have a total infrastructure funding deficit over its Local Plan period to 2032, of £128 million, with residential CIL alone expected to bring in £80 million to £85 million to offset this.

Town and parish councils will get 15 per cent of CIL received for developments local to them, which could rise to 25 per cent, to spend as they see fit.