What is the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)?

The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is a planning charge, introduced by the Planning Act 2008, as a tool for local authorities in England and Wales to help deliver infrastructure to support the development within their area. It came into force on 6 April 2010 through the Community Infrastructure Levy Regulations 2010.

Development may be liable for a charge under CIL if a local planning authority has chosen to set a charge in its area.

The CIL for the Chichester area came into effect on 1 February 2016. Chichester District Council (CDC) calculates the CIL payable by developers in line with their charging schedule.

The CIL is a standard, non-negotiable charge applicable to developments where there is a net increase of 100 square metres of floor space or the creation of one or more dwellings of any size.

The money raised is used by CDC to help fund infrastructure projects required by the growth identified in the Local Plan area. This includes, for example, education, transport, flood defences and open space.

However, 15% of the CIL funds are passed to Parish/Town Councils for CIL liable development that has taken place within their parish. This increases to 25% if the Parish has an agreed Neighbourhood Plan.

Parish/Town Councils are responsible for:-

1. Spending the CIL it receives in line with the CIL regulations, to support the development in its area, or any part of its area by funding:-

a) the provision, improvement, replacement, operation or maintenance of infrastructure; or

b) anything else that is concerned with addressing the demands that development places on an area.

2. Spending the CIL within 5 years of receipt.

For more information, please visit CDC's website here or central Government's information page here.

Plaistow and Ifold Parish Council must produce and publish a report on any CIL received in a financial year by the December following that financial year. The most recent reports from Plaistow and Ifold can be viewed below.