A coalition of local authorities, developers, housing associations and charities have written to the Secretary of State for the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to warn against government’s proposed Infrastructure Levy.

The proposals would see the current developer contributions system, which includes S106 and the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), be replaced with a new Infrastructure Levy. The Home Builders Federation (HBF) is among 30 signatories warning this move could reduce the funding available for affordable and social rent homes and deepen the housing crisis.  

The letter urges government to engage with the organisations to reform the current developer contributions system, using the signatories’ collective experience and expertise.

In its earlier response to the Infrastructure Levy consultation, HBF warned of the detrimental impact the proposals would have at a time when the industry is already facing unprecedented threats from a combination of economic uncertainty, the increasing burden of regulation, including nutrient neutrality, and a planning process which is grinding housing delivery to a halt.

Read HBF’s full response to the Infrastructure Levy consultation and the joint letter sent to government.

The full story was reported by The Times on Friday 16 June 2023.