Money for communities to use on local projects and priorities will come from the Community Infrastructure Levy; a new levy that local authorities in England and Wales can choose to charge on new developments in their area.
In the statement the minister explains that these are new cash incentives to Communities that tackle the legacy of inadequate house-building should they choose to accept new housing. He said “Neighbourhoods that take a proactive approach by drawing up a neighbourhood development plan, and securing the consent of local people in a referendum, will receive 25% of the revenues from the Community Infrastructure Levy arising from the development that they choose to accept.”
He goes on to say that this cash boost will be paid directly to parish and town councils and can be used to back the community’s priorities for example to re-roof a village hall, refurbish a municipal pool or take over a community pub. Neighbourhoods without a neighbourhood development plan but where the levy is still charged will still receive a capped 15% share of the levy revenue arising from development in their area.
Communities without a parish or town council will still benefit from this incentive, with the local planning authority retaining the money and spending it in accordance with the wishes of the community.
To read the statement in full visit GOV.UK website or via this link: CIL % to parish & town councils
To learn more about Neighbourhood Planning including Neighbourhood Development Plans go to: CLP or speak to a member of RCCE Community Engagement Team or visit the Department for Communities and Local Government at DCLG
