COMMUNITIES in the city are set to benefit from more than £330,000 as part of a new planning contribution on development.

Brighton and Hove City Council has received £334,694 as part of the Coombe Farm development in Saltdean.

It is the first major payment from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), charged to developers as part of the planning process for some developments.

Coombe Farm will provide 72 homes in Saltdean. They will range from one to four bedrooms, with 29 affordable to rent or buy. At least four will be designed to be wheelchair accessible.

Councillor Marianna Ebel, lead member for planning policy said: “The CIL is a set charge, which provides much more certainty for developers about how much money we expect them to contribute.

“It is great news for communities across Brighton and Hove which will benefit from the CIL payments.

“The CIL charge also encourages developers to provide the full quota of affordable homes as they may then receive a discount.

"The city’s planning policy states that developers should offer at least 40 per cent affordable homes to rent or buy.

“A recent report listed the city as being one of the least affordable to live in for people earning the living wage, so providing as many well designed, low-cost homes as possible is crucial.”

The potential charge for this scheme was £491,271, but as the developer is providing 40 per cent affordable homes, affordable housing relief was applied of £156,576.

The money will be spent on infrastructure projects; £50,000 is ringfenced for councillors to decide with their communities how it will be spent in Rottingdean Coastal ward, with the remaining £267,000 for projects anywhere in the city.

The total amount also includes a 5 per cent admin fee.

In addition to the CIL, the council’s planning team negotiated further contributions of £53,400 for public art on the site, and £32,000 toward the local employment scheme which offers opportunities for apprenticeships and work for local people in construction.

The development will provide highways improvements including a new pedestrian crossing.

Find more on the Community Infrastructure Levy on the city council's planning web pages.