Developers now subject to pay an education levy for proposals

FINANCIAL contributions to education from developers will now be taken separately thanks to an executive council decision.

The change in policy at Fareham Borough Council will now mean developers could be subject to a Section 106 agreement for funds towards local education.

Leader of Fareham Borough Council, Councillor Sean Woodward, said: ‘This change is good news for residents, now and for generations to come.

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‘There is currently a wide range of infrastructure demands within the borough, all competing for part of the Community Infrastructure Levy collected by the council.

‘This change means that in some areas of the borough, dedicated funding will be secured from developers towards improvements or expansions of schools required to accommodate additional school children.

This will help to ease the pressure on our schools in areas where there is increased demand due to new housing.’

The policy will take effect on March 1 and means Hampshire County Council will be able to calculate the number of school places that would need to be added in the local area due to the development.

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Ward councillors for Portchester and Warsash, Cllr Susan Bell and Cllr Trevor Cartwright raised concerns about planning applications that had already been through the committee.

Director of planning & development Richard Jolley confirmed the 120-home Cranleigh Road would not be subject to the new education charge.