LAST month SDC very quietly adopted the Community Infrastructure Levy.

The SNJ’s and SDC’s silence on this matter is deafening.

The decision was passed on February 9, taking immediate effect for all existing and future planning applications for development not determined before April 1.

This came a a severe shock to local builders and small developers as most had not heard of this new tax let alone been consulted about it.

Some deep digging later it transpires that the consultation (in Apr/May/June 2016) consisted of some 30 organisations, who can be generally cast as either prospective beneficiaries of the money or large greenfield house builders.

Hold up!

Surely the house builders would be up in arms at such a raid on their profits?

A little more digging later it appears that they are exempt and what’s more, are no longer required to negotiate a section 106 as the CIL replaces it.

So an echo box consultation with the equivalent of a big brown envelope for the fat cat housebuilders.

So who will pay the £80 per square metre tax?

What effect will this have on the already inflated house prices in Stroud?

Alexander Lovell-Hewitt

Rodborough