Heritage Infrastructure Funding - Application for Heritage Infrastructure Funding Drawdown

The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is a mechanism to allow local planning authorities to seek to raise funds from new development, in the form of a levy, in order to contribute to the cost of infrastructure projects that are, or will be, needed to support new development. 

Following an examination of the Bassetlaw District Council Charging Schedule in November 2012, Bassetlaw District Council approved the implementation of its Community Infrastructure Levy from the 1st September 2013.  The collection of CIL monies and developments from which they are achieved is published annually.

CIL is used to help provide infrastructure to support the development of an area rather than making an individual planning application acceptable in planning terms (which is the purpose of Section 106 Agreements). CIL does not fully replace Section 106 Agreements. 

Heritage Assets (listed buildings) that are identified as being “at risk” on either the National Heritage at Risk Register (compiled by Historic England) or the Local register (compiled by Bassetlaw District Council) are like other developments liable for CIL.  This was evidenced to have created a significant conservation deficit resulting in longstanding vacant buildings and tired shop frontages, which has a detrimental impact upon the economic infrastructure of our towns in particular. The Council has approved an amendment to the existing CIL regulation 123 list 

In order to qualify for funding drawdown from the monies collected, infrastructure projects must be identified on a published infrastructure funding statement in accordance with the Community infrastructure Regulations.

Bassetlaw District Council’s Heritage at Risk Register (for all listed buildings) and Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register (For grade I and II* listed buildings only) are consistent with each other and monitor the condition of the Council’s designated heritage assets and informs proactive strategies for their repair and restoration.  A number of buildings will be CIL liable if planning applications are submitted for a change of use or development. It has been approved by the Council’s Cabinet that vacant buildings that are on the Council’s or National Heritage at Risk Registers (collectively referred to as the “Register”) are now entered onto the Regulation 123 List.

Where owners are liable to pay CIL for:

  • a building at risk that appears on the Register and
  • a conservation deficit is established through the planning process in attempt to change its use and
  • seek restoration as part of a development

An application may be made using this form to the Council for a reimbursement of chargeable CIL once an extant planning permission is granted approval.  

Any CIL chargeable amount that has been paid can then be reclaimed following satisfactory completion of the work subject to the rules of the scheme and at the discretion of the Council.

The amount of CIL money invested into these buildings would be up to 75% or 85% of whatever the CIL charge would be for the development that has gained planning permission. The percentage is dependent on whether the location of the building has an adopted neighbourhood plan (75%) or not (85%). 

100% of the CIL charge cannot be invested into a building due to the requirements of 5% of the CIL money collected to be retained by the Council for administrative purposes and either 15% or 25% to be spent on local projects by the relevant Parish Council or Neighbourhood Plan Group. The Parish Council or Neighbourhood Plan Group may however choose to invest the CIL money into the building if they wish, in the same manner as the District Council.

Grants are also available for traditional shop front reinstatement for Listed Buildings or Positive Buildings on Primary or Secondary Retail Frontages in Conservation Areas or Heritage Related Grant Areas.  This grant is up to £5000 or 50% of cost of works, whichever is the lesser. The awarding of CIL funding towards shopfront reinstatement is at Bassetlaw’s Council’s discretion and depends upon the availability of CIL funds. This scheme seeks to invest in traditional shop front reinstatement for listed buildings or buildings identified as making a positive contribution to Conservation Areas within Conservation Area Character Appraisals on primary or secondary retail frontages.

In summary CIL Reimbursement Funding is available for:

Heritage/Cultural Infrastructure

Cost of Improvement

 

5% will be retained from the total CIL contribution by the Council for Administrative purposes in accordance with Regulation 61

The restoration of vacant buildings at risk on the Local or National Heritage at Risk Register.

Up to 75% or 85% of the remaining CIL chargeable amount after the deduction of the 5% Administrative Cost.

Traditional shop front reinstatement for Listed Buildings or Positive Buildings on Primary or Secondary Retail Frontages in Conservation Areas or Heritage Related Grant Areas.

Up to £5,000 or 50% of cost of works, whichever is the lesser.

 

 

Additional Information

Buildings at risk that are vacant for the purpose of eligibility for CIL, means a building or part of the building that has not been in continuous use for a period of at least six months within the 36 months ending on the day an extant planning permission first permits the chargeable development.

 

 


Last Updated on Monday, September 30, 2024