I'm confused!

In the Herald today there is an article which states that the EDDC are considering a levy on new houses which will be three times as much in Sidmouth, Budleigh and other coastal areas as in areas like Honiton and Exmouth. The rationale would seem to be that Sidmouth etc are less suitable for new homes, and I therefore assume that the two tier levy is an attempt to dissuade builders from building in 'sensitive' areas.

On the other hand the EDDC is pushing planning applications for houses on the Knowle, at Manstone and at Port Royal (eventually).

Are they trying to put off builders, or encourage them, or walk a tightrope between encouraging them and getting as much money out of them as possible so that they can spend most of it on other parts of East Devon?

It seems that any money from the old levy had to be spent in the area the housing was in but that soon it can be spent anywhere within the authority. This doesn't seem fair to me.

Comments

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Tell It As It Is 3 months ago

The current regime (Section 106) can only be spent in the town or area where the houses are built but the system under consideration would allow for the majority of any cash ............ not all ............. to be spread elsewhere in the district as a whole. EDDC would probably like to see this new charge in place ........ together with its two tier charging zones ................ well before the proliferation of development planning applications that are just over the horizon ............ a sign of things to come? Plenty of work for the Sidmouth Posse to get their teeth into. To think that spreading funds across the district to areas that are not so affluent is not fair does seem to be rather selfish. Surely we should be willing to help other areas in East Devon and not have this 'pull up the drawbridge' mentality.

Pining Lass 3 months ago

Which areas are 'not so affluent'? This is an honest question.

According to the EDDCs figures un-employment in East Devon is very low compared to the country as a whole.

I am not saying that there aren't any 'not so affluent' areas but I would be interested to know which areas come under this heading in your opinion. I presume they are all inland as retirees bring money to the coastal towns, but then I think they also bring it to pretty country towns and villages too.

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