Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)

What is CIL?

CIL stands for Community Infrastructure Levy. It is a charge that local authorities can impose on new developments in their area. The money raised can be used for infrastructure that the Council and communities want.

What does CIL mean for me?

All applicants for full planning permission, including householder applications, reserved matters following an outline planning permission, and applicants for lawful development certificates must fill out the CIL Additional Information Form.

The following developments are liable for CIL:

• New building developments that create net additional floorspace, where the gross internal area of the new build will be more than 100 square metres
• New developments creating one or more new dwellings, including residential annexes, even where the gross internal floorspace is less than 100 square metres

There will be a significant number of applications where an Additional Information Requirement form should be submitted, but where there will be no liability for CIL. It is, however still necessary to complete the form so that a declaration of this is made and on record.

CIL was implemented in 2017. If a formal grant of planning permission for your development was made on or after 1 October 2017 and the development falls within the descriptions of what is liable for CIL, you will be liable to pay CIL

Read additional guidance for the form

Some developments may be eligible for CIL relief or exemption.

Existing buildings

The CIL Regulations allow for the deduction of  existing  floorspace from the calculation of the CIL charge. In order for existing floorspace to be deducted it must have  been 'in-use' for its lawful purpose for a continuous period of at least 6 months in the previous 3 years prior to planning permission being granted.  Information that could be submitted to demonstrate existing lawful use can include a combination of the following:

• Copies of leases
• utility or other bills for the 6 month period relating to the use claimed
• Business rate/council tax bill and payments. Note: the Local Planning authority does not have access to this information as it is data protected
• Where an informal arrangement exists redacted bank statements to show rent/rates have been paid
• Confirmation from a letting agent/solicitor advising of the period of occupancy
• Dated photographs showing the building in the use claimed
• A Certificate of Lawful Use

The background to CIL

Our CIL Charging Schedule came into effect in October 2017. The following background documents are available online for you to read:

• CIL Charging Schedule
• Horsham CIL Final Report
• Infrastructure Delivery Plan 2016
• Background Document - CIL Infrastructure Delivery Plan