{"id":5108,"date":"2013-05-08T11:59:43","date_gmt":"2013-05-08T10:59:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.propertysurveying.co.uk\/newsletter\/?page_id=5108"},"modified":"2017-04-20T11:26:50","modified_gmt":"2017-04-20T11:26:50","slug":"changes-to-community-infrastructure-levy-could-save-self-builders-thousands","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.propertysurveying.co.uk\/newsletter\/?page_id=5108","title":{"rendered":"Changes to Community Infrastructure Levy could save Self-Builders thousands"},"content":{"rendered":"

Proposed changes now under public review in a consultation announced on 15th<\/sup> April could save self-builders thousands of pounds by ensuring they are exempt from paying a levy charge that must currently be paid for all new buildings over a certain size.<\/span><\/p>\n

The government has declared themselves committed to helping more people achieve their aspirations of owning a home \u00e2\u20ac\u201c echoing the \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcproperty owning democracy\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 sentiments of the Thatcher era – and wants to help boost housing supply by making self-build housing a mainstream option.<\/span><\/p>\n

The proposed relief concerns the<\/span> Community Infrastructure Levy which, introduced in 2010, is a charge local councils can enforce on developers in their area to help pay for the cost of introducing appropriate new infrastructure. The relief would cover homes built or commissioned by individuals, families or groups of individuals for their own use and that will be owner-occupied.<\/span><\/p>\n

Planning Minister Nick Boles commented:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153For too long, self-build homes have been seen as an option for only a privileged few and we are determined to change that with proposals that have the potential to save self-builders thousands of pounds.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Our proposals would ensure that self-build homes are exempt from this levy and will make an enormous difference to people looking to realise their dream of buying a plot of land and getting a builder to build them a home.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153We urgently need to build more homes and the proposed changes to the levy will help increase housing supply and help those businesses keen to grow.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/span><\/p>\n

Housing Minister Mark Prisk added:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I am determined that anyone who wants to build their own home should have the opportunity to do so.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s why on top of the \u00c2\u00a344 million funding we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re making available to help aspiring self-builders and local community groups to get their projects off the ground, today\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s proposals will ensure these small and bespoke projects do not incur large infrastructure bills through the levy.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153This package of support, combined with the advice available from leading self-build organisations, will ensure those looking to build will have the information and help they could need at their fingertips.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/span><\/p>\n

Along with helping people build their own home, other proposed changes to improve the levy system will also aim to benefit councils and developers.<\/span><\/p>\n

The consultation<\/span><\/a> (available at this link) proposes changes that, the Government hopes, will boost development and the building of new homes and businesses. The changes should make the levy fairer, faster, more certain and more transparent.<\/span><\/p>\n

Other proposals, in addition to the move to exempt self-build homes, include, amongst others:<\/span><\/p>\n