What is Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)

How to find out whether you need to pay the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and which forms you need to send.

CIL allows local planning authorities to raise funds from developers and individuals who are undertaking building projects in their area.  This is a way of making sure that all relevant development contributes towards new infrastructure such as transport, open space, flood defences, greenspace, leisure centres and schools.

The CIL is charged per square metre on new developments, and applies to:

  • new dwellings of any size
  • any development where the internal area of a new building, extension or change of use exceeds 100 square metres

Some developments are exempt from paying.

CIL regulations at Arun came into force on 1 April 2020. All planning applications granted full planning permission after that date are subject to CIL.

Where CIL does not apply to a development, section 106 obligations will still apply just as before CIL was introduced.  All strategic development sites allocated within the Local Plan are required to pay section 106 rather than CIL.

For more information please see the government guidance on CIL.