CIL process for developers

Some developments may be eligible for relief or exemption from CIL. Please see our exemptions, relief and exceptional circumstances policy. This is not automatically applied by us, and you must make an application using the relevant forms and by submitting supporting information and/or evidence.

To apply for relief or exemption, you must have assumed liability to pay CIL on the chargeable development and you must apply for relief before development commences. Failure to do so will mean that we cannot issue relief or exemption. 

Claims for charitable relief, social housing relief or exceptional circumstances relief should be submitted on form 2: claiming exemption or relief prior to the commencement of development.

Exemption from CIL is also available for self-builders. Anyone who is extending their own property, or building a new property to occupy as their primary residence, can claim relief from CIL. Please find the relevant exemption forms below:

• self build exemption – whole house part 1 
• self build exemption – whole house part 2 
• self build residential annex exemption 
• self build residential extension exemption 

Please note this is not an automatic process and must be applied for, before work starts on site. You must also assume liability for the development and send us a CIL commencement notice before work starts in order for the exemption to be valid.

We will consider your application for relief or exemption. The local planning authority must determine whether or not the exemption or relief would be compliant with European rules about state aid. If relief or exemption is approved, we will issue a revised CIL liability notice. If relief is refused, then we will write to let you know. You can appeal our decision through the Valuation Office Agency (VOA).

Please note relief will be subject to clawback for a set period depending on the property type. Where relief has been granted, and then a disqualifying event occurs, you must notify us, in writing, giving 14 days advance notice. Failure to do so will incur a penalty surcharge. We will then issue a liability notice and a demand notice for payment.

Update January 2019 - domestic extensions

Lichfield District Council will not apply the Community Infrastructure Levy charge to domestic extensions. 

This policy is effective from 1 January 2019 and applies to any domestic extension application validated on / after 1 January 2019. 

2019 amendments to self build exemptions

The 2019 amended CIL Regulations have revised the process of the submission of a commencement notice for developments which have had a self build exemption applied to it, specifically the penalties of late or non-submission of this document.

If a Commencement Notice is not submitted prior to the commencement date:

• Provided that the liability notice with the exemption is issued on or after 1 September 2019 then you will be subject to a surcharge of 20% of the total liability, with a maximum of £2,500. The exemption will not be withdrawn.
• If the liability notice with the exemption is issued before 1 September 2019 then the previous regulations apply - you may be subject to a surcharge of 20% of the total liability with a maximum of £2,500 and the exemption will be withdrawn.

In both cases the amount payable will be due immediately.