Brilliant news on CIL - yesterday’s intervention from the Housing Minister recognises the unfair impact that Community Infrastructure Levy rules have had on some homeowners, and I want to thank him for taking this issue on and committing to amend the CIL regulations.
Resident across Waverley have shared deeply concerning cases of people facing substantial CIL charges. The impact on them has been awful and life changing.
The principle behind CIL is right - communities need infrastructure to support growth - but where rules intended to support householders and self-builders instead result in severe and unexpected financial consequences because of procedural failures, Government rightly needs to look again.
I particularly welcome the confirmation that local authorities retain discretion over enforcement and that compensation may be considered. I also welcome the Government’s commitment to consult on reforms to ensure these situations do not arise in future.
I would now encourage local authorities - in particular my own Council of Waverley - to urgently review its own failing CIL scheme under which no-one has yet been refunded. Please now ensure residents are treated fairly.
I pay tribute to those residents who have campaigned with persistence and dignity in particular the CIL Injustice GROUP, and to local Waverley Conservative councillors led by Councillor Jane Austin - they have led the charge and fought for change.
For those who have spent years seeking recognition that the system has not always delivered fair outcomes, this is an important step forward.
