Types and level of contribution
Each application will be assessed on its own merits, where we seek developer contributions we will provide evidence that the infrastructure is required (in whole or in part) for the proposed development. This will be to mitigate the impact of the proposed development. Any appropriate local surplus service capacity will be taken into account before making a request. The level of contribution will always be relative to the need generated by the development in question.
Broad levels of contribution for each type of infrastructure are set up out in the obligations by service area.
Most projects will require bespoke costings to prove an accurate estimate. Applicants must provide comprehensive information regarding the intended unit mix and land uses on the development. This will allow a realistic estimate of the infrastructure requirements. Formulae are included in agreements when appropriate. This means that there is a precise contribution to reflect the final development and avoids the need for agreements to be varied if plans are changed.
Some contributions are only likely to be required by major developments. There is a threshold, usually in terms of numbers of dwellings, which will trigger different services to consider the need for developer contributions. Thresholds may be deemed to have been reached on the basis of the sites' cumulative capacity in cases where adjoining or nearby plots (regardless of ownership) are likely to be developed separately. This approach ensures that developer contributions cannot be circumvented by sites being split up. There is no disincentive to developers working together to bring forward comprehensive regeneration schemes.