A NEW charge for developers and homeowners planning projects in South Lakeland will come into force next month.

The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is the first of its kind in Cumbria and is one of almost 50 across the country.

The charge, adopted at South Lakeland District Council's annual meeting, will be collected by the authority and is based on the size and type of new development.

Moneys raised will go towards paying for key infrastructure projects, such as extra transport, education, health or leisure provision.

Liberal Democrat Cllr Jonathan Brook, strategic growth portfolio holder, told the meeting it will raise around £17m if all proposals under the council's local plan are realised.

The charge was criticised by the Tory opposition who claimed the total amount needed to support communities over the next few years was close to £50m and questioned where the rest of the money will come from.

Dan Hudson, development strategy group manager, explained CIL can be used to bid for match funding and that Section 106 agreements will still be used to fund improvements to infrastructure that are directly related to the development of a site.

And Cllr Brook said CIL was never intended to meet the full amount, adding: "Planning applications keep coming forward so we need to get this done as soon as possible."

He was also forced to defend the council after it emerged £25,000 had been paid to a consultant to produce reports on CIL.

"Whilst we recognise some consultants charge extortionate fees I think we would have been foolish as a council to proceed without having independent advice," he said.

Cllr Giles Archibald, who urged cross party support, said: "This will help fund vital infrastructure for the communities we all represent so let us work together so we can all be proud of what we come out with at the end."

It was passed easily due to the Lib Dems holding overall control of the council chamber but the 13 Tories present abstained from the vote.

The charge - which will come into effect on Monday (June 1) - will affect all new housing development in the South Lakeland district.

A proportion of CIL receipts will be passed to parish and town councils for communities to spend on local infrastructure projects but those within both the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales national parks are ineligible.

Developers wanting to build houses, including sheltered/retirement, will be charged £50/m2, while supermarket developers will be forced to stump up £150/m2.

The application is automatically exempt If someone is making an application for an extension to their house of less than 100 square metres.

Some other developments, such as self-builds and affordable housing, will also be eligible for CIL exemptions - although these exemptions will need to be applied for.

CIL will not be payable on extra care housing or in any form of development within the Canal Head areas of Kendal or Ulverston.

There is also a lower rate payable on the site allocated for residential development south of Ulverston.

Full details at www.southlakeland.gov.uk/CIL.