CIL Advice

At ET Planning, our CIL consultants help landowners, developers, and architects understand their exposure, protect their position, and make thought out decisions about CIL before, not after, cost becomes a problem.

Frequently, we speak to clients after they've triggered CIL liability without realising it. This includes missing exemptions, failing to serve the right notices, or underestimating charges.

These mistakes can be expensive and the correct sequencing is everything. Once the deadlines pass, there’s often no going back and the regulations are not designed to be flexible.

Our CIL service exists to:

· Identify your liability early

· Flag risks before they become costs

· Help you apply for reliefs and exemptions

· Support formal challenges and appeals where needed

· Ensure your planning and CIL strategy are aligned

If you’re developing land, you’re potentially liable for tens (or hundreds) of thousands in CIL and often, CIL errors come from simply misunderstanding the rules.

Issues we see regularly include:

· Missing self-build relief deadlines

· Council calculation errors going undetected

· Incorrect phasing leading to double-charging of CIL

· Commencing work before submitting correct paperwork

· Design changes increasing liability

CIL is front-loaded risk. Our job is to help you manage it.

When to Speak to a CIL Consultant

Ideally, before your application goes in. But even if you’re already mid-project, or facing enforcement or a surcharging issue, often times, we can still help.

What You'll Get from a Paid Consultation

Our CIL consultation meetings are designed to give you clear, commercial, and honest advice.

In a typical CIL session, we will:

· Review your site’s potential liability

· Advise on exemptions and reliefs you may qualify for

· Identify key risk triggers and how to manage them

· Outline a step-by-step strategy for notices, payment, or appeal (where needed)

We’re not here to sugar-coat your situation, instead, we’re here to protect your position and unlock value — even if that means advising you not to proceed.

Our CIL advice has helped clients:

· Avoid over £100,000 in avoidable charges

· Secure self-build reliefs

· Set up payment plans during cashflow crunches

· Reverse incorrect surcharges/interest from council errors

· Understand the implications of design and phasing choices

We don’t just fill in the forms, we can help you make smarter decisions.

Ready to De-Risk Your Project?

The Community Infrastructure Levy is often misunderstood — and the regulations are rarely forgiving.

So whether you’re planning your scheme ahead or responding to a surprise Liability Notice, we’re here to give you strategic, honest advice that protects your investment.

Our consultants can help you understand liability, unlock reliefs, and avoid common pitfalls.

Book a paid consultation to protect your project and budget. Discuss Your Project Call ET Planning on 01344 508048