Decision details

This decision updates the Cotswold Beechwoods Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) mitigation fees by 14.68% in line with Retail Price Index (RPI) (ONS), ensuring the contribution levels remain consistent with those applied across all participating authorities. All local planning authorities (LPAs) affected by the Strategy have agreed to apply the same RPI?based uplift to maintain consistency in mitigation funding. The new rates will apply from 1^st April 2026.

There is a legal requirement to mitigate impacts on the Beechwoods SAC. The Cotswolds Beechwoods Mitigation Strategy was adopted first by Stroud in October 2022 and then subsequently by the other relevant councils. Cheltenham Cabinet adopted the Strategy 2^nd April 2024.

The Strategy details the original costs for the Strategic Access Management Monitoring (SAMM); Strategic Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANGS), these are consistent across all the affected LPAs. The LPAs also charge an administrative/legal fee, and in some instances, there is also a monitoring fee.

The fees need to be increased in line with inflation reflecting with the provision set out in the Strategy. Indexation has been applied from October 2022, the point at which the Strategy was first adopted by Stroud District Council. An RPI increase of 14.68% has been applied, calculated from RPI All Items Index: Jan 1987=100 - Office for National Statistics. This shows that in October 2022 the RPI index was 356.2 whereas it had increased by 52.3 points (14.68%) to 408.5 by December 2025.

Section 106 Fee Structure

Two S106 routes exist, each requiring different levels of administration and monitoring.

i)             Where the Mitigation Contribution is paid on completion of the S106, the administration/legal fee is lower due to minimal ongoing officer involvement.

ii)            Where payment is on commencement of development, additional legal checks and future monitoring are required, giving rise to a higher administration/legal fee plus a monitoring fee.

Revised costs from 1 April 2026 where Payment of the Mitigation Contribution is on Completion of the S106

Revised costs from 1 April where Payment of the Mitigation Contribution is on Commencement of Development

Background information:

Cotswold Beechwoods SAC Recreation Mitigation Strategy, May 2022

Cabinet Report, 2 April 2024 relating to the adoption of the Cotswold Beechwoods SAC Recreation Mitigation Strategy

RPI All Items Index: Jan 1987=100 - Office for National Statistics.

Not to update the costs. This approach would mean that charges no longer reflect inflation as measured by the RPI, leading to a real?terms reduction in their value.

Liaison with other LPAs affected by Cotswold Beechwood SAC.  All LPAs will be adjusting fees.