East Suffolk Council leaders to consider asking for more money from housebuilders

Leaders are set to consider asking for more money from housebuilders.

Developers looking to build homes in East Suffolk are required to pay Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) contributions used to fund projects such as schools, roads, and healthcare facilities.

But a motion submitted ahead of tomorrow's full council meeting argues the current contribution rates are not appropriate to the need for infrastructure across the district.

As it stands developers pay £100 per square metre for middle-value zones and £300 per square metre for zones deemed to have higher value.

By contrast, the motion states, the UK's top housebuilders made a combined £2.9 billion in profits in 2021 alone, while home affordability went down, particularly for young adults.

The motion is calling for CIL rates to be reviewed with a predisposition to increase them while keeping sight of the impact on house purchasers.

Meanwhile, planning policies would be reviewed to ensure more development land for commercial use, community service, and conservation, would be set aside.

To avoid younger people leaving the district, the council would seek to consult the East Suffolk Youth Council on how to better spend CIL money and adapt the Local Plan to reflect young people's voices.