Squeeze on pupil places prompts school tax for developers

Developers building new homes in Salford could be asked to pay a levy per unit aimed at ensuring the city can keep pace with demand for pupil places.

Salford City Council is proposing an education contribution of between £1,008 and £4,033 for each unit, depending on the number of bedrooms. Apartments, one-bedroom houses, and non-family homes would be exempt from making contributions, as evidence suggested they place a limited demand on school places, according to the local authority.

If the plans are approved, the council would receive a contribution from developers of £1,008 for each two-bedroom house, £2,016 for a three-bedroom house, £3,024 for a four-bedroom house, and £4,033 for a five-bedroom house.

Cllr Derek Antrobus, assistant mayor for strategic planning, said the money would help the city to cope with the additional school places that would be needed if more families move into the area.

The proposal followed a six-week public consultation earlier this year.

Cllr Antrobus said: "We welcome new housing developments in Salford, but I also recognise that it will cause a further squeeze on school places.

"That's why we've come up with a positive plan to get developers to contribute to the local community, not just by building houses but by helping to ease the burden on Salford's schools to create new pupils places.

"With a national baby boom and more families than ever moving into Salford, we need to be more imaginative in bringing new developments to the city."