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Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)

What is CIL?

CIL allows local authorities in England and Wales to raise funds from developers who are undertaking new building projects in their area. Money gained through CIL will be used to pay for strategic infrastructure projects.

CIL is governed by the CIL Regulations 2010 (as amended).

CIL was adopted by Cheshire West and Chester Council on 20 July 2017 with effect from 1 September 2017. The charging schedule is the result of the consultation process and examination conducted by an independent Planning Inspector.

Full details and documents from the examination can be found on our CIL examination pages.

Developments within Cheshire West and Chester Council’s chargeable zones that meet the conditions for CIL will be required to pay the levy on planning permissions issued from 1 September 2017.

Developments that are liable for CIL may pay the levy at the commencement of development, or as set out in the instalments policy.

Applicants are advised to seek their own advice if there are any queries regarding how CIL operates or affects individual planning applications.

What does this mean for applicants?

If you receive planning permission on or after 1 September 2017, and your development is CIL liable, then you will be required to pay a CIL charge when you start work. If you have an outline application that was permitted before 1 September 2017 and your Reserved Matters is approved after this date then the development will not be liable for CIL.

CIL also applies to permitted development where the requirements for CIL are triggered. Find out whether your development could be liable for CIL by reading the guidance below.

How to use these pages

If you receive planning approval from 1 September 2017, then CIL may affect you and we recommend that you read these pages carefully.

If you receive permission for a CIL liable development, we recommend you read the CIL process stages information to find out when certain information has to be submitted to comply with the CIL regulations.

If you are required to pay CIL you will need to complete specific forms and notices at certain times before you commence the development. Failure to do so means we will impose penalties such as surcharges (up to £2,500), the removal of any instalments and the refusal/withdrawal of any relief granted to you. We will also take enforcement action to collect outstanding CIL charges; in the most severe cases this will include stopping development on site or taking court action.

Certain types of development are eligible for exemption/relief from CIL. More information can be found on our claiming exemptions or relief page.

CIL forms

All the CIL forms can be found on the Planning Portal.