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Woking residents are being asked to give their comments on how Woking Borough Council intends to secure contributions from developers in the Borough towards infrastructure provision.

New developments are charged a levy, with funds raised used to deliver infrastructure to support development that the local community needs, such as children's play provision and transport improvements. The Council has decided to adopt the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) as its primary means of securing developer contributions.

Councillor Graham Cundy, Woking Borough Council's Portfolio Holder for Planning Policy, said: "I would encourage residents to send their comments into the Council as these will be taken into account when drafting the charging schedule. The Community Infrastructure Levy will mean that new developments will be charged a standardised non-negotiable levy, rather than being negotiated on a case-by-case basis, as per the Section 106 legal agreement system, which is currently operated."

A key stage in adopting the CIL is the publication of a Preliminary Draft Charging Schedule, outlining the amount that developers are charged. Residents' views are being sought to determine whether the rates are set at a reasonable level. The Preliminary Draft Charging Schedule, along with supporting documents, can be viewed at the Council's Civic Offices or at libraries in Woking, Byfleet, West Byfleet and Knaphill. Alternatively, it can be viewed at www.woking2027.info/infrastructure

Residents are being asked to send any representations they may have to Woking Borough Council by Tuesday 2 April, by emailing [email protected] or posting them to The Planning Policy Team, Woking Borough Council, Civic Offices, Gloucester Square, GU21 6YL.

Any comments received will be considered and taken into account in preparing a Draft Charging Schedule. There will be further opportunity to comment on this document before it is submitted to the Secretary of State for examination.

Until the CIL is adopted, the Council will continue to use Section 106 to secure developer contributions.

For further information on the Preliminary Draft Schedule, please contact a member of the Planning Policy Team on 01483 743871.