Agenda item

This report seeks Members consideration on a request that the CIL allocation of £400k that had previously made to the Dinan Way Extension project in Exmouth be reinstated for the purposes of supporting a Devon County Council led bid for funding under round 2 of the Levelling Up Fund.

The Committee was asked to consider a request that the Community Infrastructure Levy allocation of £400k that had previously been withdrawn from the Dinan Way Extension project in Exmouth be reinstated.  This was brought about by the Government’s announcement of the new Levelling Up Fund 2 and Devon County Council’s decision to pursue a revised bid for the extension.

Discussion covered:

·         Clarification was sought whether the developers for Goodmores Farm had contributed funding to Devon County Council for the school and the Dinan Way Extension.  The Service Lead – Planning Strategy and Development Management advised he would provide a written response;

·         Reassurance was sought that if the bid was unsuccessful the £400k would be returned to the pot.  It was confirmed that in that eventuality the intention in the recommendation, if Members agreed, would be deallocate the money and return it to the main Community Infrastructure Levy Pot;

·         It was questioned whether the match funding of £400k would be an adequate amount to successfully build the extension taking into account the increase in inflation.  The Service Lead – Planning Strategy and Development Management confirmed the cost of the project had indeed increased and had been contacted by Devon County Council after the report was published to consider an opportunity to increase the funding which was open to the suggestion if Members agreed;

·         Not in favour of increasing the amount of funding as money needs to be spent all over the district;

·         There is a need to cross reference with the Devon Climate Emergency Strategy.  Is it essential as it will move traffic congestion from Exmouth to Clyst St Mary and Junction 30 of the M5?

·         Clarification was sought about whether Exmouth Town Council would still contribute as previously agreed.  The Service Lead – Planning Strategy and Development Management could not give a definitive answer but confirmed Exmouth Town Council would be contributing. During the meeting the Service Lead – Planning Strategy and Development Management received an email from the Exmouth Town Council Clerk who clarified their original contribution was £158k but that their members would be discussing whether to increase this amount at their Full Council meeting next week;

·         Would enable shorter journeys for the residents of Brixington with a suggestion that Stagecoach could also deliver a service along the route;

·         It would enable redevelopment of the gateway to the town including the railway station;

·         Improvements to some cycle routes;

·         Not clear in the report about why there is a need for a new road especially as the council’s ambition is to be a green council.  In response the Committee were reminded that the current Local Plan adopted the Dinan Way Extension as an infrastructure project for Exmouth and was also on the Infrastructure Delivery Plan as a priority one project but could be reviewed through the new Local Plan to take into account the council’s climate change emergency if Members wished;

RECOMMENDATION:

1.    Confirmation that £400k of Community Infrastructure Levy money be made available as match funding to support a Levelling Up Fund 2 bid being made by Devon County Council for the Dinan Way Extension in Exmouth; and

2.    In the event that Devon County Council’s Levelling Up Fund 2 bid for the Dinan Way Extension in Exmouth is unsuccessful the £400k to be deallocated for this purpose and returned to the main Community Infrastructure Levy pot.

DECISION:

The recommendation was approved by a Senior Officer.  The Senior Officer Decision Notice is listed above under Additional Documents.