Following the abandonment of the crucial Katherine Semar School upgrade, the education situation in Saffron Walden continues to deteriorate. In a forthcoming application for a major housing development in the heart of Saffron Walden, the tax payer stands to lose over £100,000 for education contributions which UDC will not be able to collect from the developer. This is because under Section 106 procedures, currently operated by UDC, only 5 developments can contribute to education funds in Saffron Walden; this next one will be the sixth!
We have long been campaigning for the introduction of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) which would force ALL developers to contribute fully to ALL the necessary infrastructure requirements. This would allow UDC and ECC to plan better for those infrastructure needs and I shall be pushing for the adoption of CIL during the development of the new Uttlesford Plan.
If you would like to discuss this or any other issue please see me at the R4U “Listening Post” next Saturday morning from 10 until noon (28th November) in the Saffron Walden Market Square.