BASILDON Council is set to consider charging developers more than £100m for infrastructure improvements in the borough.

The council would charge developing companies fees when they get planning permission for developments.

Known as a community infrastructure levy it is set to replace the current section 106 agreements which see developers make cash contributions for community improvements when buildings homes, businesses and other development.

If agreed charged could raise £107.6m by 2034.

It comes after it was announced that £522m is needed for improvement infrastructure in Basildon.

Basildon Council said it can find £205m but this would leave a short fall to reach the needed total of half a billion pounds.

The Essex Growth and Infrastructure Framework (GIF) forecasted £522m is needed.

If agreed the council would charge different rates for different development in different areas.

It will be discussed at a meeting on Wednesday October 3.

It has been met with support for Basildon councillors.

Kerry Smith, Independent councillor for Nethermayne said he is in favour is this.

He said: "Overall there is still a large shortfall in the funding for our infrastructure, If the government is quick enough to bully the council into getting a local plan together then the government needs to give the council the funding that is needed to help with the local plan.

"I feel the CIL is a way for the government to dodge its responsibility in this area.

"We do need the infrastructure so badly in Basildon if we don't get it, the roads will be gridlocked and there will be no extra support for services such as schools.

"I think the government needs to help out and put its hand in its pocket. I think that developers will just have to work this into the cost of building homes.

"In my view the biggest issue is where we are going to get the rest of the money from."

Derrick Fellowes, Nethermayne Independents councillor for Nethermayne said he believes it is overall a positive move.

He said: "This will mean the developers are committed to pay where as previously under the section 106 system developers could sometimes get out of paying their contributions.

"This could be sacrilege as the community would lose out while the developers make huge profits.

"I am concerned about where we will find the rest of the money that is needed. We have always said that we need the infrastructure when building new homes. We need it now without any more new homes."