Community Infrastructure Levy FAQ's
What is a community infrastructure levy?
The community infrastructure levy is a local ‘tax’ that local Council’s can impose on new development in order to collect funds to pay for local infrastructure provision and improvements. It is charged on a square metre bases, although household extensions and small business developments are exempt by law.
How is the community infrastructure levy calculated?
The community infrastructure levy must be set at a level that does not affect the overall viability of development within an area. Work has therefore been undertaken to understand the local housing market and the market for different types of commercial development.
This work has found that housing development in Benfleet, Hadleigh and Thundersley is more viable than housing development on Canvey Island. Therefore, a levy of £120 per sqm is proposed for housing development in Benfleet, Hadleigh and Thundersley, whilst a levy of £30 per sqm is proposed on Canvey Island.
A levy is also proposed for:
- Convenience Retail (Food) - £140 per sqm
- Out of town centre comparison retail (non-food) - £60 per sqm
- Restaurants, Pubs and Takeaways - £40 per sqm
- Residential Care Homes - £80 per sqm
- Hotels - £40 sqm
Because the viability of employment development is poor, no levy is proposed for industrial developments. Additionally no levy is proposed for small local shops within town centres.
What can the community infrastructure levy be spent on?
Community infrastructure levy receipts can be spent on local infrastructure improvements and new infrastructure where it supports and/or mitigates the impacts of new development. This can include road improvements, open space provision and the provision of new community buildings and facilities.
The Council must prepare a schedule identifying what community infrastructure levy receipts will be spent on.
A proportion (15%) of the community infrastructure levy receipts for an area must be spent in the local area in which the development occurred. On Canvey Island the Town Council will determine how this proportion is spent.
Will the community infrastructure levy pay for the entire infrastructure needs in Castle Point?
Due to the restrictions viability places on the amount of levy that can be charged, it is unlikely that it will pay for the borough’s entire infrastructure needs.
Furthermore, community infrastructure levy cannot be used to pay for existing problems and deficits in infrastructure which affect the existing community.
The Council will therefore need to look to alternative funding sources to deliver some of the infrastructure needed. This will include seeking funding from Government Agencies, from the South East Local Enterprise Partnership and Transport Board and also seeking investment from the private sector.