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Only one-fifth of local authorities want to implement the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), according to a survey carried out by consultant Drivers Jonas. The survey claims 63% of all English and Welsh local authorities are ‘unsure' about implementing the levy, which is likely to be introduced by the CLG in April and is designed to replace regeneration tariffs such as Section 106 agreements. Despite the fact that the levy could be compulsorily applied to regeneration projects, 17% of authorities told Drivers Jonas they simply did not want to adopt it. Lack of details and unclear benefits were major reasons given for rejecting CIL, alongside cost implications, limited resources and political uncertainty. Of the 20% of authorities which said they would happily implement the proposed levy, many have large infrastructure requirements. Many smaller authorities argued implementation costs would outweigh the benefits. As with a similar survey conducted last year, many councils said they wished to continue using Section 106 or tariff-based agreements. Julia Chowings, planning partner at Drivers Jonas, told The MJ: ‘One year on and the same number of authorities is uncertain about CIL, albeit there has been a slight shift towards not adopting. ‘All in all, the majority of the uncertain 63% will probably adopt the levy, just reluctantly. They won't be embracing it.' David Hackforth, president of the Planning Officers Society, said he was ‘not really surprised' few councils wanted to implement CIL. ‘The depressed state of the economy generally, and the construction industry in particular, means that now is not a good time to be introducing a charge based on land values,' he added.

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WHITEHALL

Majority of councils 'unsure' about implementing CIL

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