London—Dentons has advised Wokingham Borough Council on the successful examination of its proposed Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). The Levy is anticipated to raise £177 million of funding for infrastructure to complement Wokingham's commitment to delivering 13,000 new homes by 2026. The Levy proposals reflect the challenges for adopting CIL on major strategic development sites.

The Council's proposed residential rates for strategic development locations of up to £365 per square metre of new development were passed by an Examiner in late October, following two days of Examination in Public at which ten house builders and other objectors sought changes to the rates.

Senior Associate Roy Pinnock and Partner Stephen Ashworth, both of Dentons' Planning practice, advised Wokingham throughout the process, including at the Examination hearings.

Louise Strongitharm, Service Manager - Economic Sustainability at Wokingham Borough Council, described Dentons' work as "extremely positive and invaluable to the project. The Council has an ambitious development plan to deliver four large strategic sites, all requiring substantial infrastructure investment. Roy and Stephen have worked with us since 2012 to help create a more certain platform for funding this infrastructure and to focus the debate on the key issues in the face of a significant objections."

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