The purpose of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is to help fund some of the infrastructure demand created by new development through CIL contributions from developers. The major contributions come from the larger development schemes, but the smaller householder developments (even some extensions) also have a part to play.
In Waverley, CIL has funded £millions towards infrastructure projects in Farnham, including extra schools’ places, expansion of GP practices, improved road safety and new play areas.
CIL legislation is complex and allows for some development to be exempt from CIL so long as the exemption is applied for, prior to development commencing, using a process prescribed by the regulations (backed by legislation).
Someone not familiar with CIL may assume that, if their proposed development fell into one of the exempt categories, they would be exempt and not have to do anything further. Not realising the exemption had to be applied for.
The Farnham Residents group appreciate the public interest in this matter and the strength of feeling, and we acknowledge this is a complex area, so we are looking forward to our councillors hearing professional advice from Waverley Borough Council’s (WBC) legal advisers, which will provide greater clarity.
At the WBC Council meeting in January, we supported a motion which was approved by Council, stating: “In line with West Berkshire Council, householders previously subject to CIL liability can request a discretionary review by the Council within a window from 1 June 2025 to 31st May 2026.”
We understand that the subject of discretionary reviews is coming to the WBC Executive meeting on 1st July so we will approach this with an open mind to debate and determine the matter.
A subsequent motion also supported by Farnham Residents councillors was in April, where WBC resolved to “Invite the Executive to form a cross-party working group to establish why Council had not adopted an exceptional circumstances policy, which could have allowed flexibility in cases of hardship or genuine error by applicants and to explore legal and procedural options for the introduction of such a policy”
Farnham Residents group councillors look forward to being invited to join the working group and doing everything they possibly can to support Waverley homeowners.
Farnham Residents will always stand up for the residents of Farnham
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