£15m for a council from developer ‘is not enough’
COUNCILLORS have refused to sign an agreement to receive millions of pounds from a developer to mitigate the impact of a 2,500-home estate because they say the amount is not enough.
Leicestershire County Council’s cabinet rejected the £15 million section 106 deal, for land in Barwell, because members said the figures on which it is based are out of date.
A report to cabinet warned if the council was to sign the agreement, “there is a substantial risk the contributions as presently specified would not cover the total cost of county council infrastructure, such as off-site road improvements and schools”.
Chief executive John Sinnott raised the issue as an urgent item when the authority’s cabinet met last week.
He said: “The first thing to say is the council supports the Barwell sustainable extension and we understand the importance of it in helping Hinckley and Bosworth meet its five-year housing land supply.
“The section 106 agreement only works if it satisfies the local authorities, the developer and the likely success of the development, in other words it leads to a development where people and families want to live with proper access and good facilities, and the impact on surrounding communities needs to be taken into account.
“The draft of the agreement does not do that.
“Planning permission was granted six years ago, and a delay in preparing a final agreement is the main reason for having a document that’s out of date.”
Mr Sinnott urged Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council to negotiate a better deal.
As it stands, the county would get £5.3 million for education and almost two hectares of land for a new primary school, £2.1 million for extensions to existing primaries and £5 million for secondary provision.
The county council has said it needs £6.7 million and almost three hectares of land for a primary, £4.8 million for extensions, up to £3.1 million for sec
URGENT ADVICE: John Sinnott
ondary provision, £671,000 for special educational needs and disability and £1.9 million for early years.
In terms of roads, the council would lower its requirement due to suggested original work now not being required.
Speaking at the cabinet meeting, Councillor Trevor Pendleton said: “There is no doubt this is an important development.”
The authority and taxpayers have a stake in this project, he said: “So we want to make sure it is bang up to date and fit for purpose.”
A spokeman for the borough council said: “We note the additional requirements the county council has agreed.
“The borough council will now be discussing these with the developer.
“It is hoped that, with an early resolution, work can start as early as 2021.”
Council leader Stuart Bray said: “We look forward to the full cooperation of the county council and developer in addressing the changed requirements.
“This will help ensure Barwell can benefit from the delivery of the homes and employment on the site, along with the provision of a doctor’s surgery, schools and transport links.”