The controversial decision to let the developer behind Anglia Square off from paying a £2.3m tax will not be reconsidered.
Opposition members at the Labour-controlled Norwich City Council tried to demand a rethink of a community infrastructure levy (CIL) exemption for the redevelopment of the eyesore site at a recent scrutiny committee meeting.
CIL is a tax on housing developers with the money going towards facilities like playgrounds, schools, libraries and allotments. The majority of the levy is pooled with South Norfolk and Broadland Councils.
The developer behind the plans, Weston Homes- which will build 1,100 properties on the site - will not have to pay the tax after the meeting dismissed opposition councillors' fears and endorsed the exemption.
Opposition councillors raised a series of concerns about whether the cabinet had followed the proper process.
Green councillor Jamie Osborn suggested the money could have been used for projects like improving the Marriott’s Way and better street lighting, but this had not been considered by the cabinet.
“During the cabinet meeting, [council leader Mike] Stonard repeatedly said that because only 15pc of the CIL would be kept for the neighbourhood it didn’t really represent a significant loss to the council.”
He argued this would mean £340,000 for local projects, and it was “bizarre” for the cabinet to “forgo that money”.
It was also suggested there had been no consultation with South Norfolk and Broadland, which contributed more to the CIL pot than the city.
Mr Stonard insisted all processes were followed “properly and legally”.
“If the scheme is not viable, it does not go ahead and there is no CIL, so let’s stop talking about CIL that’s been forgone.
“This is imaginary money that we’re talking about which doesn’t actually exist.”
He also insisted that discussions with other council leaders have been “very constructive” and they understood there was no other choice.
Despite Mr Osborn saying he still had questions, Labour’s Keith Driver forced a vote to support the cabinet decision.
The vote was seven in favour to seven against leaving the chairwoman of the scrutiny committee, Caroline Ackroyd, with the casting vote.
Ms Ackroyd endorsed the cabinet decision.
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