Review announced of the Community Infrastructure Levy
On the 19th November 2015, the government announced that the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) was to be the focus of a new review to ensure people benefit from local development in their area.
The CIL was established in 2010 with the aim of supporting the delivery of local infrastructure, and the government signalled its intention to streamline the planning system and ensure local communities are able to raise funds for continued development.
Since 2010, CIL has used tariff-style developer contributions on large projects within a local planning authority’s area. As an alternative to the traditional ‘Section 106’ planning obligations which are negotiated on an application-by-application basis, the proceeds can be used by councils on local infrastructure projects.
The aims of the review, chaired by Liz Peace (former chief executive of the British Property Federation), were:
- To assess CIL’s performance in providing a faster, fairer, more certain and transparent means of funding infrastructure through developer contributions.
- To examine the relationship between CIL and Section 106 agreements.
- To consider the impact of CIL’s neighbourhood element of helping increase community support for development.
- To consider the operation of reliefs and exemptions.
Read more about the Community Infrastructure Levy here.
Communities Secretary Greg Clark said:
“Our planning reforms have ended the top-down bureaucracy of the past that pitted neighbours against developers – which means more than a million homes have been granted planning permission since 2010.
We now want to go even further, so we can ensure communities can directly see the benefit of new development and can be confident that new homes come with the infrastructure to support them.
This independent review will examine how we can improve the community infrastructure levy to ensure it best benefits local communities whilst delivering the houses the country needs.”
Planning Minister Brandon Lewis said:
“Where communities benefit from development they are also more likely to support it, and the Community Infrastructure Levy has played a vital role in contributing to local infrastructure and creating that local support.
As a government we want to build more homes, supported by people who live in the area and this review will look for new ways in which proposed development can benefit whole areas.”
The review was open to contributions from a wide range of stakeholders, including:
- Local authorities.
- Community groups.
- Developers.
- Surveyors.
- Lawyers.
- Consultants involved in the CIL process.
The request for written submissions was open from 19 November 2015 until 15 January 2016.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Community Infrastructure Levy.
- The Community Infrastructure Levy (Amendment) Regulations 2014.
- Community infrastructure levy commencement notice.
- Developer contributions.
- Localism act.
- Planning permission.
- Planning conditions.
- Planning obligations.
- Review announced of the Community Infrastructure Levy.
- Section 106 agreement.
- Section 106 exemption.
- Strategic infrastructure tariff.
Featured articles and news
Future Homes Standard Essentials launched
Future Homes Hub launches new campaign to help the homebuilding sector prepare for the implementation of new building standards.
Building Safety recap February, 2026
Our regular run-down of key building safety related events of the month.
Planning reform: draft NPPF and industry responses.
Last chance to comment on proposed changes to the NPPF.
A Regency palace of colour and sensation. Book review.
Delayed, derailed and devalued
How the UK’s planning crisis is undermining British manufacturing.
How much does it cost to build a house?
A brief run down of key considerations from a London based practice.
The need for a National construction careers campaign
Highlighted by CIOB to cut unemployment, reduce skills gap and deliver on housing and infrastructure ambitions.
AI-Driven automation; reducing time, enhancing compliance
Sustainability; not just compliance but rethinking design, material selection, and the supply chains to support them.
Climate Resilience and Adaptation In the Built Environment
New CIOB Technical Information Sheet by Colin Booth, Professor of Smart and Sustainable Infrastructure.
Turning Enquiries into Profitable Construction Projects
Founder of Develop Coaching and author of Building Your Future; Greg Wilkes shares his insights.
IHBC Signpost: Poetry from concrete
Scotland’s fascinating historic concrete and brutalist architecture with the Engine Shed.
Demonstrating that apprenticeships work for business, people and Scotland’s economy.
Scottish parents prioritise construction and apprenticeships
CIOB data released for Scottish Apprenticeship Week shows construction as top potential career path.
From a Green to a White Paper and the proposal of a General Safety Requirement for construction products.
Creativity, conservation and craft at Barley Studio. Book review.
The challenge as PFI agreements come to an end
How construction deals with inherited assets built under long-term contracts.
Skills plan for engineering and building services
Comprehensive industry report highlights persistent skills challenges across the sector.
Choosing the right design team for a D&B Contract
An architect explains the nature and needs of working within this common procurement route.
Statement from the Interim Chief Construction Advisor
Thouria Istephan; Architect and inquiry panel member outlines ongoing work, priorities and next steps.
























