Community Infrastructure Levy

The Community Infrastructure Levy

The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is a charge which allows the Council to raise funds from new developments for use on infrastructure to support the growth in the district. It came into force on 6 April 2010 through the Community Infrastructure Levy Regulations 2010 (as amended). The money collected from the levy will be used to support development by funding infrastructure that the Council local community and neighbourhood need. 

CIL costs

The levy applies to most new buildings and development over 100 square metres in size. Charges vary depending on the size, type and location of the new development and are set out in the Charging Schedule (PDF). Please note that CIL charges are updated each year to take account of inflation. View the rates for 2025 and a yearly rate summary since 2016 (PDF).

Our Instalments Policy (PDF) applies to all liable CIL applications and explains when payments will need to be made across the timeframe of a development.

The Regulation 123 List (PDF) was adopted in 2015. It has since been superseded by the infrastructure funding list, which can be viewed on our CIL reports page.

A development will be liable to pay CIL if:

• it is a building into which people normally go
• it is creating 1 or more new dwellings, or an annex, even where the floorspace is less that 100 square metres
• if it involves the change of use of a building that has been unused for a period of time, it may be liable
• it is of a type of location for which a rate is set in the Charging Schedule (PDF)

You may also be liable for CIL charges if your development involves changing the use of a building that has been unused for a period of time. For more information on whether CIL charges apply to a development see our CIL FAQs page.

A development may be exempt from CIL if it:

• is less than 100 square metres (unless it is a new dwelling or annex)
• is eligible for self-build exemption, and the relevant claim form has been submitted and acknowledged
• is for a structure or building that people do not usually enter (for example, pylons and wind turbines) or enter only briefly for maintenance (for example, plant rooms)
• involves a change of use with no additional floorspace and the former use has been lawful and in continuous use for at least six months in the past three years ending on the day the planning permission first permits the development
• involves a change of use from a single dwelling to two or more separate dwellings with no additional floorspace
• is for affordable housing, charitable purposes or self-build housing (please note: if your proposed development is for any of these purposes, you will need to apply for CIL relief)

CIL forms

Step 1:

All planning applications, including those for Lawful Development Certificates, must have the CIL additional information form submitted alongside them (see below). We require this additional information to determine whether a charge is due, to determine the amount of CIL payable and to ascertain whether relief is being requested. The CIL guidance note provides advice on how to fill in the CIL additional information form.

Application forms for CIL to be submitted with your planning application:

CIL Form 1: Additional questions form (PDF)
CIL Additional questions guidance note (PDF)

If this form is not submitted, your planning application will be deemed invalid.

CIL Form 2: Assumption of liability (PDF)

This form must be completed and is required to assume liability for the payment of CIL, or to claim for relief or exemption, including self-build exemption.

Step 2:

The following CIL forms should be completed and returned where necessary:

CIL Form 3: Withdrawal of the assumption of liability (PDF)

You must let us know if you previously assumed liability to pay CIL but will no longer be the party making the payment.

CIL Form 4: Transfer of assumed liability (PDF)

Please complete this form if you wish to transfer the responsibility for paying CIL from one party to another.

CIL Form 5: Notice of chargeable development (PDF)

Use this form to notify us of works that may be liable for CIL being carried out under General Consent/Permitted Development rights.

CIL Form 6: Commencement notice (PDF)

Once planning permission is granted but BEFORE any works start:
With the exception of residential extensions that have been granted relief, it is a requirement under Regulation 67(1) of The Community Infrastructure Levy Regulations 2010 (as amended) that a Commencement Notice MUST be submitted to the collecting authority no later than the day before the day on which the chargeable development is to be commenced.
In ALL cases (other than residential extensions that have been granted relief) you must complete and return this form informing the council of the commencement date before a development which is CIL liable can start. This form MUST be submitted to the collecting authority no later than the day before the day on which the chargeable development is to be commenced.
Do not start your development until 'Acknowledgement of Receipt of Commencement Notice' has been received from the council. Failure to await receipt means you will lose the right to payment by instalments (where applicable) and a surcharge will be imposed.

Relief for self-builders and domestic extensions

If you are extending your own property or building a new property to occupy as your primary residence, you can claim relief from CIL. Please note this is not an automatic process and must be applied for. Before beginning works on a site, complete and return the relevant claim forms below.

Note:  You must also assume liability for the development and if you are building a new property, you must submit a CIL Form 6: Commencement notice before work starts for the request for relief to be considered.

CIL Form 7: Self-build exemption claim (part 1) (PDF, 1.4MB)

Use this form to claim for self-build exemption when a new dwelling is being constructed. This should be used when the dwelling will be your primary residence on completion for at least three years. Please pay attention to the declarations in section B of the form.

CIL Form 7: Self-build exemption claim (part 2) (PDF)

Use this form in conjunction with the CIL Form 7 self-build exemption (part 1) where a self-build exemption has been granted for a new dwelling. You must submit this form to us within six months of completion of the build, accompanied with the supporting evidence set out in the form, including a Building Control completion certificate, utility bills, bank statements or other documentation showing the property address and self-build mortgage if applicable.

CIL Form 8: Residential annex exemption claim (PDF)

Use this form to claim for self-build exemption if you are constructing a residential annex to use as ancillary accommodation to the main dwelling.

CIL Form 9: Residential extension exemption claim (PDF)

Use this form to claim for self-build exemption if you are constructing a domestic extension with a gross internal floor area of more than 100 square metres (extensions with a gross internal area of less than 100 square metres are exempt from CIL).

CIL Form 10: Charitable and/or social housing relief claim (PDF)

Use this form to claim exemption or relief for social/affordable housing or developments by registered charities for charitable use.

CIL Form 11: Exceptional circumstances relief claim form (PDF)

Not applicable for Three Rivers District Council

CIL Form 12: Claiming further charitable or social housing relief (when development is altered) (PDF)

Use this form if you wish to obtain further charitable or social housing relief from the levy when the development previously subject to relief is subsequently amended by a section 73 permission, creating a new levy liability.

CIL Form 13: Claiming further self build dwelling, residential annex or residential extension exemption (PDF)

Use this form to obtain a further exemption from the levy when a self-build dwelling, residential annex or residential extension development that was previously granted an exemption is altered by a section 73 permission, creating a new levy liability.

CIL Form 14: Application to apply a 'phase credit' (PDF)

If you are the person who has assumed liability for a phase of a development that was originally granted planning permission before the adoption of a levy charging schedule in the area, but which is now subject to a levy liability, you can apply for a ‘phase credit’, created in a separate phase of the development, to offset the levy liability.

Additional information

Please provide for following information for agent (if applicable) and applicant:

• address
• telephone number
• email address

Although notice are usually served by the Agent (if one is appointed) CIL Liability lies with the applicant. It is the Agents responsibility to ensure that the applicant is kept up to date and is in receipt of relevant forms, documents and notices sent from the Council.

Appeals

You can appeal against the Council's decision in relation to your Council CIL liability, but please note that appeals must be made within 60 days of the Liability Notice being issued, and appeals can only be made after you have formally asked us to recalculate the CIL amount (which must be done within 28 days).

You can also appeal against the apportionment of liability, charitable relief, self build exemptions, surcharges, commencement of development and a Stop Notice. Further information and the relevant forms can be found on GOV.UK.

Does inflation affect CIL charges?

Charging authorities are required to apply an annually updated index of inflation to keep the levy responsive to market conditions. See below for further information:

Yearly CIL rates table (PDF)

CIL FAQs

What is the gross internal area (floorspace)?

The gross internal area (GIS) is taken from the RICS guidance and includes:

• areas occupied by internal walls and partitions (e.g. a roof plus three walls)
• columns, piers, chimney breasts, stairwells, lift wells, other internal projections and vertical ducts
• atria and entrance halls
• internal open-sided balconies and walkways
• mezzanine floor areas with permanent access
• service accommodation – for example, toilets, toilet lobbies, bathrooms, showers, changing rooms and cleaners’ rooms
• garages and conservatories

The gross internal area excludes:

• perimeter wall thickness and external projections
• external, open-sided balconies, covered walkways and fire escapes
• greenhouses, garden stores and fuel stores
• areas with a headroom of less than 1.5m

Will I have to pay CIL when building an extension to my property?

If you are building an extension to your property, you may not be required to pay CIL if:

• the main dwelling is your principal residence
• the extension enlarges the principal residence but the additional area is under 100 square metres

Do I have to pay CIL for a new annex?

If you are building a residential annex to create a new dwelling within the grounds of your main dwelling, you may not be required to pay CIL, provided you meet the following criteria:

• the main dwelling is your principal residence, and you have a material interest in it
• the residential annex is within the boundary of the main dwelling and consists of one new dwelling

However, the full CIL amount will be payable within three years of completion if one of the following apply:

• the main house is used for any purpose other than as a single dwelling
• the annex is let
• either the main residence or the annex is sold separately

If I am building my own self-build property, will I have to pay CIL?

Self-build homes are exempt from CIL, subject to various criteria. The self-build category applies to anyone who is building their own home or has commissioned their home from a contractor, housebuilder or sub-contractor.

Upon completion of the build, you must own the property and live in it as your main residence for a minimum of three years. If you sell or let the property or otherwise stop using it as your main dwelling within three years of completing the development, you must notify us within 14 days of the sale/let. The CIL chargeable amount that was originally waived will then be payable in full. Failure to notify us will result in enforcement action.

Is a change of use liable for CIL?

If a building has not been in continuous lawful use for a period of at least six months over the last three years ending on the day the planning permission first permits development, the development will be liable for CIL.

However, if the building has been in continuous lawful use for a period of at least six months over the past three years ending on the day the planning permission first permits development, the development will only be liable for CIL if there is additional new build floorspace.

Will my development be liable for CIL if planning permission was granted before the CIL Charging Schedule came into effect, but approval of a Section 73 application to vary or remove conditions of that planning permission is made after the CIL Charging Schedule came into effect?

Yes. If full planning permission is granted before the publication of a CIL Charging Schedule but an approval of a S.73 application to vary or remove conditions is subsequently made, the approval will trigger liability for CIL charges because it results in a new planning permission.

However, although a new CIL liability is triggered, the new additional chargeable amount is equal only to the net increase in the chargeable amount arising from the original planning permission to avoid the double counting of liability. In effect, if the application to vary a condition does not result in an increase in floorspace, there will be no charge.

If my development does not require planning permission, will I still be liable to pay CIL?

Development commenced under ‘general consent’ may be liable for CIL. If you wish to develop under ‘general consent’, you must supply a ‘Notice of Chargeable Development’. The standard criteria for determining whether you will pay CIL will then apply.

The date of commencement has changed. Do I need to tell the council?

Yes. We issue a Demand Notice based on your commencement date, so if this date changes, you must let us know before beginning works by submitting a new commencement notice with the new date.

Can existing buildings that will be demolished be discounted from the CIL charge?

The gross internal floorspace of any existing buildings on site that will be demolished or reused may be deducted from the calculation of CIL liability, providing the building has been in continuous lawful use for at least six months in the last three years ending on the day the planning permission first permits development.

What happens if I don’t pay the CIL charge?

• The CIL is a mandatory and non-negotiable planning charge. Penalties and surcharges apply to non-payment, and you may lose your right to pay by instalment.
• There are also strong enforcement powers, including Stop Notices, surcharges and prison terms.

Is CIL a local land charge?

The CIL is a legally enforceable levy and is shown as a local land charge on the local land charges register.

You can view further details about the planning application process and CIL on our Planning pages.

Please note the information above is not exhaustive and further information can be found on the Planning Portal.

How we allocate and spend the CIL

This section describes how CIL funds within the centralised pot are distributed. It also provides guidance on applying for CIL funds.

In accordance with The Community Infrastructure Levy Regulations 2010 (as amended), we must apply CIL to funding the provision, improvement, replacement, operation or maintenance of infrastructure to support the development  of its area.

We review our strategic CIL spending in line with the priorities outlined in our Infrastructure Delivery Plan (PDF, 6.9 MB) and infrastructure funding list.

The table below shows a breakdown of how the receipts we collect are allocated.

Approved projects

See a list of approved infrastructure projects (PDF).

Apportionment of money raised from the CIL

In accordance with CIL regulations, we pass on a meaningful proportion of CIL receipts to parish councils to support the delivery of local infrastructure requirements.

For Parishes where a Neighbourhood Plan is not in place, the proportion is 15% of CIL funds received for their area. Where a Parish has an approved Neighbourhood Plan in place, 25% of CIL received for their area is passed to the parish council.

CIL receipts must be spent in the parish or on a joint venture that crosses into another parish. Requests for further information and applications for parish CIL funds should be directed to the relevant parish council.

After deducting administration costs of 5% and those funds allocated to parish councils, the remaining funds are added to a centralised pot that is used to support the delivery of strategic improvements within the district.

The Community Infrastructure Levy Annual Financial Report, now known as the Infrastructure Funding Statement, is added to the website by 31 December each year. For more information, see the CIL reports section below. 

Agreed Expenditure and Governance

Our governance arrangements were agreed at Policy and Resources Committee on 10 March 2025. View the governance report (PDF).

In line with our governance arrangements, agreed infrastructure projects are allocated funds from the centralised district pot.

How to apply for district CIL to fund infrastructure projects

There are competing demands for the centralised pot of CIL funds, and CIL funds alone are unlikely to completely cover the cost of new infrastructure needed to fully support planned development.

For this reason, we must ensure there are robust, accountable and democratic structures in place to ensure that spending of CIL funds is prioritised appropriately.

Allocating and spending CIL

Applications for bids can be submitted twice yearly:

1st June - 13th July

1st January - 12th February

Applications must be submitted in full by the set deadline, and by the close of business (5pm) deadline day; Any application received after the closing date and time will not be accepted.

It is advisable to have your application and required documents as detailed below ready for submission when the window opens. This will allow time to assess the application and request further information as necessary within the 6-week window.

All entries must be made by email.  Advice from the CIL department can be given prior to the start date via email only.

Allocating and spending CIL guidance can be found below:

List Of Required Documents CIL Spending (pdf)

Spending Request Form (pdf)

Equality Impact and Outcome Assessment (docx)

Scoring-Criteria (pdf)

Guidance Notes For Scoring Criteria (pdf)

Climate-and-Sustainability Impact-Assesment-Template (xlsx)

Applying for strategic CIL funds

The annual Infrastructure Funding Statement shows the amount of CIL funding collected and what is available. To apply for funds, you will need to complete an application and send it to cil@threerivers.gov.uk.

You will need to provide the following information:

• the applicant’s contact information
• project overview
• strategic case
• financial information
• delivery timescales
• additional information
• a declaration

After we receive your request, we will review your application and supporting information to determine whether your project is eligible for CIL funding. A project will only be considered for CIL funding if:

• the Funding Request form has been completed satisfactorily
• the organisation has the legal right to carry out the proposed project
• the project is clearly defined as infrastructure per the Infrastructure Funding List (PDF)
• the project complies with our Infrastructure Funding List, as detailed in the Infrastructure Funding Statement

We will also take other factors into account, including:

• the need for the project
• the public benefit of the project
• the deliverability of the project
• the value for money that a project provides

Projects will be viewed favourably if they illustrate a robust match funding portfolio in other funds that wouldn't otherwise be available, particularly where those funds may not be available in future years, or where it makes use of match funding.

Once the Funding Decision has been made

If your CIL bid is successful and CIL funding is allocated to infrastructure providers, a legal agreement will be required between Three Rivers District Council and the infrastructure provider. The CIL funding can only be used to deliver the agreed infrastructure type or project and will be monitored through to completion. As the charging authority, we retain the right to recover CIL receipts that have been wrongly spent or not spent within agreed timescales. For further information or advice, contact cil@threerivers.gov.uk.

Guidance on completing a funding request

Section A: Applicant contact information

Provide the contact details of the person who will receive correspondence concerning the bid application. Please also describe what type of organisation you are and your organisation's main purpose.

Section B: Project overview

Use this section to briefly summarise your project and its location. You may include maps and plans, which should be easy to understand and, ideally, provided as A4 documents attached electronically at the end of the form. Please also provide details of project partners (if applicable).

Section C: Strategic case

Use this section to provide reasons why you think your project should be prioritised for CIL funding. You will need to confirm that the project is in line with the types of infrastructure detailed in the Infrastructure Funding Statement found on the CIL reports page.

Section D: Financial information

Use this section to request the amount of CIL funding needed to deliver your project. Please state whether you will be using other funding streams to support your project and, if so, when this funding will be available. Please attach evidence of grant funding support electronically at the end of the form. You will also need to include proposals for the ongoing maintenance and upkeep of the item of infrastructure.

Section E: Delivery timescales

Use this section to explain the proposed timescales to deliver the part of the project that would be supported by a successful CIL finding request.

Section F: Additional information

Use this section to provide any additional information you feel strengthens your case for funding.

Section G: Declaration

Sign, date and confirm your organisation and any other organisation involved in the application.

CIL reports

The Community Infrastructure Levy was adopted on 24 February 2015 and implemented on 01 April 2015.

The Most Recent Annual Infrastructure Funding Statement for CIL and Section 106 2024/2025 was published in August 2025.

Annual Infrastructure Funding Statement 2024/2025 (PDF)

Previous statements and reports

Annual Infrastructure Funding Statement 2023/2024 (PDF)
Annual Infrastructure Funding Statement 2022/2023 (PDF)
Annual Infrastructure Funding Statement 2021/2022 (PDF)
Annual Infrastructure Funding Statement 2020/2021 (PDF)
Annual Infrastructure Funding Statement 2019/2020 (PDF)
Community Infrastructure Levy Annual Financial Report 2018-2019 (PDF)
Community Infrastructure Levy Annual Financial Report 2017-2018 (PDF)
Community Infrastructure Levy Annual Financial Report 2016-2017 (PDF)
Community Infrastructure Levy Annual Financial Report 2015-2016 (PDF)

Rickmansworth unparished area

The most recent Community Infrastructure Levy Annual Financial Report was published in July 2025.

Rickmansworth Unparished Annual CIL Report 2024-2025 (PDF)

Previous reports

Rickmansworth Unparished Annual CIL Report 2023-2024 (PDF)
Rickmansworth Unparished Annual CIL Report 2022-2023 (PDF)
Rickmansworth Unparished Annual CIL Report 2021-2022 (PDF)
Rickmansworth Unparished Annual CIL Report 2020–2021 (PDF)
Rickmansworth Unparished Annual CIL Report 2019–2020 (PDF)
Rickmansworth Unparished Annual CIL Report 2018–2019 (PDF)
Rickmansworth Unparished Annual CIL Report 2017–2018 (PDF)
Rickmansworth Unparished Annual CIL Report 2016–2017 (PDF)