COTSWOLD residents are being given the chance to have their say about plans to introduce a new way to obtain funds for providing infrastructure, to offset the impact of development.

A growing number of local authorities are adopting the power to make Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) charges to pay for improvements such as contributions towards school places, creation of open space, library provision, and transport works, when developments are granted planning permission.

At the moment these are funded in the Cotswolds by developers entering into legal agreements - known as Section 106 agreements - with Cotswold District Council. These build or pay for new infrastructure, but only attract funding from about six per cent of all planning permissions.

Section 106 agreements are also criticised for sometimes leading to significant delays, and omissions.

So the authority is now consulting public and businesses about the plans to introduce the CIL funding method.

Charges would be based on a tariff-style framework, relative to the size and type of development proposed, enabling the authority to secure an appropriate level of general infrastructure provision to support new development.

Levy rates are set following a statutory process and provide the developers with much more certainty at the outset regarding how much money they will be expected to contribute to infrastructural improvements.

Some of the receipts from a CIL would be passed directly back to the communities, where development takes place.

Council officers have gathered evidence to determine the charges which might be applied, and have now produced a Preliminary Draft Charging Schedule for public consultation.

Once views have been collated, the council intends to formally publish a draft charging schedule in the autumn, inviting the public to make further representations.

Councillor Nick Parsons, the authority's deputy leader and cabinet member for forward planning, said: “There are many benefits to adopting CIL.

"Most notably, experience of local authorities so far has shown that CILs deliver additional funding to carry out a wide range of general infrastructure projects that support growth and benefit the local community.

"We will also have the flexibility and freedom to set our own priorities on spending the money in line with local requirements, as well as having access to a predictable source of funding which will enable us to plan ahead more effectively."

The public are asked to review the draft and the supporting evidence which can be found at http://consult.cotswold.gov.uk.

The deadline for taking part in the consultation is Monday, August 8.