LOCAL people are getting their say on plans to raise a charge on new developments to fund vital infrastructure – such as roads, health centres or parks.

Hambleton District Council has launched a consultation on its draft charging proposals for the new Community Infrastructure Levy.

The levy was introduced by central Government in 2010 to let planning authorities charge developers to raise funds for infrastructure needs.

It should make the process of acquiring financial contributions for larger scale strategic infrastructure needs from developers simpler and speedier with a single, standard charge per square metre.

Once in place it will help to deliver the strategic infrastructure needed to support the required development and a proportion of the contributions will also be passed directly to local communities where development occurs.

“Developers, businesses, organisations and communities are being asked to let us have their views on our proposals,” said Mark Robson, Hambleton’s portfolio holder for planning.

“These views will help us make sure the charges we set strike an appropriate balance between getting the required development delivered and providing the strategic and local infrastructure necessary to serve it.”

The consultation runs until 4pm on March 1. More information can be found at hambleton.gov.uk/cil or contact Andrew McCormack on 01609-767055 or andrew.mccormack@hambleton.gov.uk