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Q&As
Is CIL payable on a Self-Build that is a Conversion?
Is CIL payable on a self-build that is a conversion? I have received planning permission from Croydon Council to convert my small recording studio into a flat for myself and my family.
They would like to charge me £11300 CIL, and maintain that a conversion cannot be regarded as a self-build. This seems mad to me, and there is nothing in the CIL regulations that directly excludes conversions.
The quibble is that the dwelling must be "built". I'm certainly building parts of the flat, moving a wall, building an extension, constructing new doorways and floors. Not one room will be untouched. Is Croydon alone in its interpretation of the regulations?
2 Answers
This is somewhat of a minefield – I think you’d be best to refer to this link on CIL FAQs which might clarify the situation – the first two questions and the table might be of help.
You do not say if a self-build exemption has been applied for, but if the self-build exemption form (Form 7 Part 1) has been submitted and rejected, then my interpretation is that the council have charged CIL on the new floor space only and so this would look to be correct.
– Mike Dade, Build It expert
Thanks for your quick reply. My conversion adds about 12sq M to the original property, and the whole thing will become about 64sq M. Unfortunately the CIL FAQs don’t define the grounds for Self-build exemption, and the table suggests that I should pay only for the extra 12 sq M. Croydon say that as it’s change of use, the whole 64sq M is “new floorspace”. So there is another point of contention. I have just submitted the exemption form, and expect it to be rejected (as it will be judged by Croydon), but I’m hoping an appeal might find more sympathetic ears. As it is, the CIL would be about 15% of my budget. But my question remains, is CIL payable on a self build that’s a conversion?