Conclusion 3

There are additional local planning authorities for whom starting to operate the Community Infrastructure Levy would be both feasible and beneficial. In November 2024, only 52% of all LPAs were operating the CIL. The CIL was intended to make getting contributions from developers fairer, faster, and more certain and transparent. Payment by developers is generally up-front and non-negotiable, and LPAs may spend the monies on infrastructure across the local area, rather than being limited to a specific site. However, the CIL has some limitations, including being resource-intensive and time-consuming to set up, creating a barrier to introduction, and it cannot be used to part fund social housing. There is also often less take-up in areas with lower land value. The Department explains that some LPAs may have delayed introducing the CIL because they were waiting to see the outcome of plans to introduce the previously proposed new infrastructure levy, which would have largely replaced the current system. However, the Department accepts that it would potentially be useful to identify LPAs where CIL ought to be viable but where there are other reasons why it has not been introduced. recommendation The Department should work more proactively with the Planning Advisory Service, to identify LPAs where CIL ought to be viable and encourage wider take-up of the CIL where this is appropriate.