This is our response to the government’s technical consultation on the proposed Infrastructure Levy.
We support the ambition to streamline developer contributions and improve the funding of infrastructure and affordable housing. However, based on extensive engagement with county and unitary councils, we conclude that the levy, as proposed, risks undermining infrastructure delivery - particularly in two‑tier areas.
Our response argues that the new levy would fail to address long‑standing structural weaknesses in the system, notably the lack of a statutory role for county councils and could worsen infrastructure funding gaps rather than resolve them.
Recommendations put forward in the consultation response include:
- Reconsider introducing the Infrastructure Levy and instead reform the existing Section 106 and Community Infrastructure Levy system.
- Provide county councils with a clear statutory role in setting, collecting and allocating developer contributions.
- Ensure dedicated, guaranteed funding for strategic infrastructure, including a defined share for upper‑tier authorities.
- Retain flexibility to reflect local land values and viability, avoiding risks to development in lower‑value areas.
- Re‑establish strategic planning arrangements to align housing growth with long‑term infrastructure investment.
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