About the community infrastructure levy

The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is a financial contribution that developers must pay towards the cost of new and improved infrastructure. The CIL is calculated on a pounds (£) per square metre basis of new development. The charge payable depends on the size, type, and location of the development. 

Detailed information and forms relating to CIL, along with links to the regulations, can be found on the planning portal and planning practice guidance websites.

In accordance with the 2019 CIL regulations update, we are now required to index CIL contributions based on the calendar year. However, from 1 January 2020 the CIL rate will be changing. Please see the below CIL Indexation 2020 document for rates and further information.

Our CIL charging schedule took effect on 18 January 2018. Development that was granted consent on or after this date may be liable to pay the CIL, even if the planning application was registered beforehand.

Our charging schedule sets out the rates payable by different types of development and the maps showing the different zones in the district.

CIL income is allocated in accordance with the CIL Regulations as follows:

• 5% (maximum) can be applied towards its implementation, monitoring and ongoing administration
• 15% is passed directly to the Town or Parish Council where the development is located. This is for the provision of local infrastructure improvements or other measures to support the development of the area.
  • This increases to 25% if the area is covered by an adopted Neighbourhood Plan
  • Further information about this money can be found on our information for local communities page
• The remaining amount is kept by the council and must be spent on infrastructure to support development.

What we do with the remaining funds

We are required to spend this remaining amount on infrastructure to support development. The levy can be spent on the provision, improvement, replacement, operation or maintenance of infrastructure. 

This can include: 

• community, leisure, and cultural facilities
• educational facilities
• green infrastructure and public realm
• flood and drainage infrastructure
• transport infrastructure

This is not an exhaustive list. Please note inclusion on the list does not necessarily mean that an item will receive funding. 

These items may be funded if:

• sufficient resources are available
• it is compliant with regulations, and;
• the project is prioritised to receive funds.

An annual Infrastructure Funding Statement (IFS) will be published to set out the CIL and S106 income and expenditure. The most recent statement can be found on this page.

The requirement to publish the Infrastructure Funding Statement replaced the CIL Regulation 123 List (abolished by the 2019 amendment regulations). 

The Community Infrastructure Levy legislation was introduced in 2010 that allows local councils to set their own levy. Our establishment of the levy followed the below timeline:

1. consultation on a preliminary draft charging schedule - November 2012 to January 2013
2. consultation on a draft charging schedule - August and September 2016
3. the CIL was independently examined by an Inspector - February 2017
4. formal approval of the CIL charging schedule - 18 July 2017, and it took effect 18 January 2018

You can view further details of our approval process for the levy in the documents below.  

• Preliminary draft charging schedule
• Draft charging schedule
• CIL examination

We are committed to reviewing our CIL rates alongside the production of our new Local Plan, but this does not necessarily mean that the rates will change.

We may also review the rates if there is a change in the legislation or national guidance governing the CIL.