Funds gained from 50-home estate 'feels like bribery'

Almost £74,000 of funds ring-fenced for certain projects in the Forest of Dean gained from a new 50-home estate “feels like bribery”, a councillor has claimed.

Councillor Lynn Sterry made the comment when the Forest of Dean District Council’s planning committee had to consider 50 new houses in Newent on Tuesday.

Developer Kodiak Land wants to build the homes on greenfield land off Bradfords Lane after its plans were refused last year.

On Tuesday, the housing estate was refused for the second time by a majority of 11, with two abstentions.

Planning officers at the authority recommended to councillors in a report it should be refused, because the money gained through Section 106 agreements would “place an unacceptable burden on existing local services and infrastructure”.

Section 106 contributions are paid to local authorities by developers when planning permission is agreed.

The funds are ring-fenced for certain projects and must be spent within a time period.

But Mrs Sterry (L, Cinderford West) said her “integrity was being challenged” to come to a decision.

Speaking at the meeting, she said: “I just feel my integrity is being challenged here. It feels like someone is trying to offer me a backhander. In the past we said there would be contributions to this, that and the other.

“We haven’t had it down in writing that ‘I’m going to buy an electric kettle for here, a toaster for there’. I don’t feel comfortable with it. I don’t know why we started adopting this list because it just doesn’t feel right.”

An officer replied: “That’s part of the applicant’s representations, and that’s how they listed it.

“It’s important members have a full picture. Whether you like the way it is presented or not is not the issue.

“These things come with the development, and if we didn’t put them in then you wouldn’t be aware of them. You need to know what the applicant is saying, and you need to take that in light of the advice in the report.”

Lynn: “I don’t know whether or not I can say this.”

The officer replied: “In that case you better not say it.”

Lynn said: “It feels like bribery to me.”

When the Local Democracy Reporting Service approached the applicant, John Chorlton, after the meeting he declined to comment.

Councillor Bruce Hogan (L, Lydbrook & Ruardean) said: “What has happened here is that the applicant has decided himself how much S106 will be offered, how it might be distributed, in order to gain support. I believe it sets a precedent and I feel very uncomfortable with it.”

On the other side of the town, early plans to build 230 homes on the edge of of a cul-de-sac in Southend Lane were approved in December.

A council report presented to the committee said: “There is no shortfall, there is no requirement for mitigation and as such a contribution cannot be justified because it is not required to make the development acceptable.

“The applicant could still make these contributions separate to the planning application, but they should not be given weight in the decision making process because they do not accord with the Community Infrastructure Levy Regulations because they are not required to make the development acceptable in planning terms.

“Not with standing this, the applicant has confirmed their willingness to make the contributions they have offered and has provided a draft legal agreement to the council.”