The Conservative Opposition Group at Nottinghamshire County Council will table a motion at today’s Full Council meeting (Thursday 14 May) calling for urgent action to ‘stop developers exploiting loopholes while Nottinghamshire taxpayers are left paying the price for damaged and overstretched roads.’
They say the motion comes amid ‘growing concern that the Labour Government’s increased housing targets will pile even greater pressure on the county’s already struggling highways network.’
Despite more than £15 million being secured through Section 106 developer contributions in 2023/24, only around £2.4 million went towards highways improvements – raising serious questions about whether Nottinghamshire is getting a fair deal, say the Tories.
Conservatives warn that under the current system, developers can use so-called “viability assessments” to water down their obligations, while Section 278 agreements covering highway works are often negotiated with little transparency.
The motion calls for tougher national rules, stronger powers for highway authorities, and a full review of whether Nottinghamshire County Council has been securing the maximum contributions possible from developers over recent years.
The proposals would also push for developers to fund repairs to roads damaged by heavy construction traffic – rather than leaving local residents to pick up the bill through council tax.
Councillor Neil Clarke, Conservative Shadow Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Asset Management, said: “Residents are fed up with seeing huge housing developments approved while roads crumble, congestion worsens and taxpayers are left footing the bill.
Developers are making significant profits, yet too often the infrastructure simply doesn’t keep pace. That is unfair on existing communities and completely unsustainable.
This motion is about restoring common sense and fairness to the system – ensuring developers pay properly for the impact they create and giving Nottinghamshire a stronger voice in negotiations.”
Roger Upton, Conservative councillor for Radcliffe on Trent and seconder of the motion, said: “Communities like Radcliffe and the wider Rushcliffe area are already feeling the pressure from rapid housing growth.
Residents want to see infrastructure delivered alongside development – not years afterwards, and certainly not paid for by local taxpayers.
If developers are serious about building sustainable communities, they must contribute fairly towards the roads and infrastructure those communities rely on every single day.”
If approved, the motion will also see the Council lobby ministers for changes to national planning rules, strengthen joint working with district and borough councils, and review whether existing legal agreements around highways contributions are robust enough to protect local communities.
The Conservatives say the message is simple: growth must come with proper infrastructure, and Nottinghamshire residents should not be left paying the price.
