Developers will have to pay £125 for every square metre of new housing built in Sidmouth from September 1.

East Devon District Council has adopted a charging schedule for the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) – a new fund to be put towards schools, health facilities and new roads, among others.

Charges will vary depending on the type of development and where it is taking place.

Councillor Andrew Moulding said: “The tariff-based approach of this levy will help fund new infrastructure to unlock land for growth.

“It will benefit developers because it is a fairer, faster and more transparent system than was previously in place.

“It will provide developers with greater certainty, in advance, of how much money they will be expected to contribute, thus avoiding the need for protracted negotiations and ensuing lengthy delays. It is right that those who benefit financially from developments should share a proportion of that gain with the local community to help make their development acceptable and sustainable, through the provision of infrastructure, services and amenities.”

Across East Devon, developers will pay £150 per square metre for retail, but will pay nothing in the ‘town centre shopping areas’ identified in the Local Plan.

The levy on residential developments in Sidmouth will be £125 per square metre. This is compared to £80 per square metre in Ottery, Seaton and Axminster.