The Consultation is now closed

The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is a new levy that local authorities in England and Wales can choose to charge on new developments in their area.  The money can be used to support development by funding infrastructure that the council, local community and neighbourhoods want - for example new or safer road schemes, park improvements or a new health centre.

Most development has some form of impact on the infrastructure needs of an area and, as such, it is fair that the development contributes towards the cost of the needs.

The system is very simple.  It is a fair, transparent and accountable levy which will be payable by the majority of new housing developments, whether 1 unit or 1000 units, and a range of other development types.  The CIL gives developers a clear understanding of what financial contribution will be expected towards the delivery of community infrastructure needs, whilst providing the Local Planning Authority with a simple developer contributions process.

Section 106 Agreements and planning conditions will also continue to be used for local infrastructure requirements on development sites, such as site specific local provision of open space, connection to utility services (as required by legislation), habitat protection, access roads and archaeology.  The principle is that all eligible developments must pay towards CIL as well as any site specific requirement to be secured through Section 106 Agreements.

Consultation

A Preliminary Draft Charging Schedule was consulted on between 29th July and 9th September 2011.  Comments are now invited on the 'Draft Charging Schedule' which contains the proposed CIL rates.  The Council is also preparing a Developer Contributions Supplementary Planning Document (SPD), which should be read in conjunction with the draft charging schedule.  The SPD can be found on the Council's website.

To download the document click 'Read and comment on document' below and then 'Download Document' from the top right.

A series of supporting documents are available below in the 'Supporting Documents' tab.

The indicative timetable for the future steps in the process through to adoption by Huntingdonshire District Council are (subject to change):

• February 2012 - Examination in Public held
• April 2012 - Inspector's Report
• April / May 2012 - Adoption of Charging Schedule