Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effect of their proposal to abolish section 106 agreements on the provision of necessary new community infrastructure in areas where (1) the local authority has set the Community Infrastructure Levy at zero, and (2) such infrastructure is currently funded through such agreements.

Our consultation on the planning reforms proposed in the white paper ‘Planning for the Future’ closed on 29 October. We are now analysing responses, and will be engaging with external practitioners, including local authority representatives, as part of this process. We will publish our conclusions and intentions in due course.

Currently, local authorities can choose whether or not to introduce the Community Infrastructure Levy: 50 per cent of authorities have introduced the Levy. Authorities which charge the Levy can choose what types of development it applies to, depending on viability evidence, and where, within their area, it applies. Authorities who charge the Levy are required to publish their charging schedule on their website, including identifying any areas or types of development for which zero rates apply.