NEW housing developments in Wharfedale could end up paying more money into a central Bradford Council funding pot than other parts of the district under a new system of planning charges, a councillor fears.

Adrian Naylor (Ind, Craven) has sounded the alarm about the proposed Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) charges for Bradford district.

He fears communities in the Ilkley area could end up paying the highest charges on new housing developments – but only a limited percentage of this money is guaranteed to be spent on infrastructure in the area.

And he fears Wharfedale's councils will not get a chance to have their say in the consultation, which is taking place now during the summer break.

Bradford Council, in line with national planning policy, is to bring in the new CIL system in place of the old Section 106 rules, governing what money or other provisions developers must contribute as part of planning consent for new developments.

But Cllr Naylor wants Wharfedale's councils given more time to take part in consultations on the charging system.

Under the proposed scheme, new developments in Addingham, Burley-in-Wharfedale, Menston and Ilkley would be charged £100 per square metre by the council towards the provision or improvement of local infrastructure, including open space, schools places, roads and transport.

Of this sum, 15 to 25 per cent of the money could be ring-fenced to be spent locally, depending if the area in question has a parish council with a Neighbourhood Plan.

But the rest of the money will go into a central pot for spending on infrastructure further afield. Some could even go into West Yorkshire-wide or Leeds City Region schemes.

Landowners are ultimately liable to pay the Levy, although anyone can take responsibility for paying it, such as a developer or planning applicant.

Cllr Naylor highlighted the differences between charges proposed in different parts of the district.

He said: "My issues is Addingham would be paying £100 per square metre, as will the whole of Wharfedale, but nowhere else in the Bradford District will be paying this much – Silsden is under £25 and Bingley is £20."

He has written to Bradford Council about local councillors having little chance to potentially voice opposition, but received a response that the consultation period is unlikely to be extended.

The public consultation on the CIL closes on September 11. Visit bradford.gov.uk for more details or call 01274 433679 for more details.