CIL Allocations and the Lichfield City Neighbourhood Plan

 Neighbourhood Plan

A summary document detailing the implications of a Neighbourhood Plan is available to download.

The full Lichfield City Neighbourhood Plan (Referendum Version) can also be viewed and downloaded.

CIL Overview

The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is a charge that local authorities levy on new developments to raise funds for infrastructure projects needed to support growth. 25% of the CIL collected from developments within the city boundary is passed directly to the City Council (the ‘neighbourhood portion’), empowering it to invest in local infrastructure improvements that benefit the community.

For district councils, CIL monies can be spent on the ‘provision, improvement, replacement, operation or maintenance of infrastructure’. However, for parish councils, a wider definition applies that includes ‘anything else that is concerned with addressing demands that development places on an area’.

The wider definition means that the ‘neighbourhood portion’ can be spent on things other than infrastructure (as defined in the Community Infrastructure Levy regulations). Parish councils can use CIL funds for a wide range of projects, these include:

1. Community Facilities

• Construction, improvement, or refurbishment of community centres, village halls, and meeting spaces
• Provision or enhancement of public toilets and seating areas
  
• Supporting community safety infrastructure such as street lighting or CCTV
  

• Development or upgrade of parks, playgrounds, sports pitches, and recreational facilities
• Creation or improvement of green infrastructure, allotments, and nature reserves
  
• Provision of play equipment, skate parks, or outdoor gyms
  

• Improvement of footpaths, cycleways, and bridleways
• Local highway improvements such as traffic calming measures, signage, or pedestrian crossings
  
• Enhancements to public transport infrastructure, including shelters and waiting areas
  

• Tree planting and landscaping schemes 
• Renewable energy installations linked to community facilities (where applicable) 

• Facilities that support local schools, including expansions or new equipment, where justified by development impacts 

• Conservation or enhancement of local heritage assets
• Public art installations contributing to community identity

To date, the City Council has allocated nearly £400,000 of CIL monies to projects in the City, including new information boards, Community Centre improvements at Boley Park and Curborough, new pathways, replacement pathway lighting, and contributions to local infrastructure causes such as the Lichfield and Hatherton Canal Restoration Trust, Sandfields Pumping Station, Lichfield Hockey Club, the Hub at St Marys and the pre-school play area at Boley Park Community Hall.

The City Council is required to report all CIL spends to the Charging Authority each year through a prescribed form. This Reporting Statement can be found on the Transparency page of the City Council's website.

CIL allocations are considered by the City Council's Grants Committee 

If you have any suggestions for CIL allocations, please contact us.