THE borough is set to benefit from an infrastructure boost of up to £21 million.

At a special meeting of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s cabinet today, proposals to introduce a charge on new development in the area are set to be recommended to be adopted.

This Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) charge on some new developments will help fund transport improvements, schools and community, sport and recreation facilities around the borough up to 2029.

Currently, the council only receives money from developers for facilities specifically related to development schemes.

But, if adopted formally at a full council meeting also held today, the new levy will raise funding to go into a ‘pot’ that could be used for a range of schemes to benefit the wider area.

The report put before full council reads: “The borough council is in the process of introducing a CIL Charging Schedule which will place non-negotiable financial charges on some types of new development in the borough.

“This funding will help to deliver infrastructure required within the borough.”

Following a consultation and examination carried out by an independent examiner on the proposals put forward, it is outlined that more than £21 million will be allocated to support development and infrastructure of the borough.

This relates to developments at Basingstoke Golf Course, East of Basingstoke and Upper Cufaude Farm, as well as for developments in the urban area of Basingstoke and Tadley and the rest of the borough.

Cabinet member for planning and infrastructure Councillor Mark Ruffell said: “The borough needs the right infrastructure to support its future development.

“New developments must contribute to the much-needed funding for roads, transport solutions, schools, community facilities and other infrastructure to ensure that residents continue to enjoy a high quality of life here.

“The community infrastructure levy will play a key part in this and I am pleased that the examiner has endorsed our approach and, subject to a number of modifications, recommended that the charging rates are adopted.

“This represents a major step forward and allows adoption and implementation of the levy, with the money received used to fund infrastructure to benefit people who live, residents, employees and visitors to the borough.”