Decision details

To confirm the payment by internal transfer of funds for the Travel Plan Administration Fee required in connection with the grant of planning permission for the erection of an Innovation Centre at Central Car Park, Workington.

The development of a new Innovation Centre on part of the Central Car Park in Workington is a key component of the Workington Town Deal. A planning application for the erection of the proposed Innovation Centre has been submitted (Planning application reference: FUL/2023/0191).

A Travel Plan has been submitted with the planning application and will be developed throughout the lifetime of the development. The Council will own the building but intends to appoint an operator who will be responsible for the management of the building and delivering an entrepreneurship and business support programme. The operator will therefore be responsible for the implementation of the Travel Plan.

There are however administrative cost implications for the Council as the Local Highway and Transport Authority relating to elements such as reviewing the implementation and management of the Travel Plan, providing advice on its monitoring or future review, travelling to and attending meetings with the development’s Travel Plan Officer, reviewing marketing material and reviewing survey results. To fund this work a financial contribution from the developer is required and would normally be secured as part of a S106 planning obligation in accordance with the following formula:

Travel Plan Administration Fee Contribution = average annual costs x number of years of travel plan.

In this case the fee contribution required would be £1320 x 5 = £6,600

In this case the Council is both the developer/landowner and the local planning authority and as the Council cannot covenant with itself a S106 planning obligation or unilateral however the payment of the administration fee is required in line with the Council’s therefore an alternative approach is required.

This formal officer decision therefore confirms that internal transfer of funds for the sum of £6,600 will be made from the project budget to that of the Local Highway and Transport Authority prior to the commencement of development to ensure compliance with Council policy.

Not to agree to the payment of a Travel Plan Administration Fee Contribution which would not be in accordance with agreed Council Policy.