The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is a charge on certain types of new development floorspace. Money raised through the charge is used to help build new infrastructure including schools, hospitals and transport infrastructure, and to fund Town Grants.

Sandwell started charging CIL on 1 April 2015. 

CIL Charging Schedule

The Sandwell CIL Charging Schedule took effect on 1 April 2015. The Schedule sets out the type of development that triggers the charge and the cost of the charge per square metre of new floorspace set at a base rate. 

View the CIL Charging Schedule and associated documents

Applicants for planning permission that trigger a CIL charge should submit a completed copy of the Additional CIL Information Form with their application. If planning permission is granted Officers will provide further guidance about how the charge should be paid.

Some types of development are exempt from paying CIL. This includes social housing. Further information is available on the Planning Portal website.

How much CIL is raised and how is it spent?

The Council publishes an Infrastructure Funding Statement each year. The Statement sets out the year's income and expenditure relating to CIL and Section 106 (S106) legal agreements.

View the latest Infrastructure Funding Statement and previous versions

The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Regulations 2010 (as amended) require that 80% of CIL receipts are spent on infrastructure, 15% on neighbourhood funding and up to 5% on administrative expenses. Sandwell's Cabinet decided in March 2020 that the 15% neighbourhood share should be distributed to community groups via a small grants fund under the leadership of the six Town Leads. Visit the Town Grant webpage to apply for a grant and to find out how the neighbourhood share is being spent in your town.

Background information

Sandwell Council approved its CIL Charging Schedule on 3 March 2015 following an examination on the Draft Charging Schedule by a Planning Inspector in 2014.

View documents relating to the examination on the CIL Charging Schedule