£2.3m tax break handed in Anglia Square developers set to be scrutinised
Norwich City Council is facing scrutiny - after it allowed a developer behind plans for a 1,100 new homes off the hook for a £2.3m tax bill.
The controversial decision to let the developer behind the Anglia Square project off from paying a £2.3m tax will come back under the spotlight after opponents demanded a rethink.
The Labour-controlled cabinet at Norwich City Council recently approved a £2.3m community infrastructure levy (CIL) exemption for the redevelopment of the eyesore site.
CIL is a tax on housing developers with the money going towards facilities like playgrounds, schools, libraries and allotments.
The Anglia Square plans will see 1,100 homes built across 12 blocks, ranging in height from two to eight storeys.
This decision was “called in” by Liberal Democrat Caroline Ackroyd, Green Jamie Osborn and Karen Davis, who recently split from Labour to become an Independent.
It means the matter will be discussed again at City Hall’s scrutiny committee on Thursday.
The members have argued that the decision has left “several key questions unanswered”.
This includes whether there should have been more details about the legal implications of the decision, if alternative options have been fully considered and if local groups – such as schools – should have been consulted.
Mike Stonard, the leader of City Hall, has said the move is necessary to redevelop a site which has been derelict for 20 years.