What is Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)
The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) allows local planning authorities to raise funds from developers and individuals undertaking building projects within their area. It ensures that new development makes an appropriate and proportionate contribution towards the infrastructure needed to support growth. This can include a wide range of projects such as transport improvements, open spaces and parks, flood defences, healthcare and education facilities, community buildings, leisure centres, and environmental enhancements. By collecting CIL from multiple developments, we can pool contributions to help deliver infrastructure that benefits both new and existing communities.
CIL is calculated as a charge per square metre based on the gross internal area of new development. CIL applies to:
- New dwellings of any size, including those created through change of use
- Any development where the internal area of a new building, extension or change of use exceeds 100 square metres
Some forms of developments are exempt or can apply for relief -for example, certain types of affordable housing, self-build projects, and charitable development-provided the correct forms are submitted at the right stage of the process.
Where CIL does not apply, section 106 planning obligations may still be required to mitigate the specific impacts of a development, as was the case prior to the introduction of CIL. In addition, all strategic development sites allocated within the Local Plan remain subject to section 106 contributions rather than CIL, due to their particular infrastructure and mitigation requirements.
For further details on how CIL operates nationally, including regulations, exemptions, and the appeals process, please refer to the Government's guidance on CIL.