Does anything exist that would prevent a Charging Authority relying on different infrastructure and viability evidence between the PDCS consultation and DCS consultation?
My Council is considering withdrawing its draft Charging Schedule (that has been submitted to PINS) with the intention of introducing CIL under the existing rather than emerging Local Plan.
The implication is therefore that the Council would rely on different infrastructure and viability evidence (than that previously used) and, although the rates will remain the same, I need to understand whether this means that the Council will need to consult on the PDCS again, or whether we can progress straight to the DCS consultation stage. By going back to PDCS consultation would add somewhere between 8-10 weeks to the adoption timetable.
Regulation 15 says "A charging authority which proposes to issue or revise a charging schedule must prepare a preliminary draft charging schedule for consultation", but I would contest that we have satisfied this obligation (albeit with different evidence).
Any views are gratefully received.
