New Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) schedules are set to be introduced in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) as part of the area’s new local plan.

CIL is a charge that councils can set on new development to help fund infrastructure and facilities such as schools, play areas and transport improvements.

BCP Council will take views on the proposed charges when its local plan goes out for public consultation at the end of March.

The exact charges – levied at a rate per square metre – will be included in the consultation document but the council’s draft charging schedule published in January shows:

The areas are shown in the map below with Poole and Bournemouth town centres in red. The new rates could have a major impact on development and the viability of projects For example, currently CIL is not chargeable in Bournemouth town centre so the new charge of £250 per sq m has the potential to increase development costs, curtail house building and push up the price of homes.

Please contact us to find out more about the proposed CIL charging schedules and how this may affect your plans.  We are also compiling responses for the local plan consultation, which is due to start at a date to be confirmed after March 19.