Can I avoid CIL on self-build?

Newnoel

 I am looking to do a self-build in my back garden with the aim of selling it almost immediately to pay off our mortgage. It would be a c 200sqm 4 bed on a 0.3 acre plot

My local council, Waverley, have a CIL charge of just under £500/sqm, which equates to almost £100k.

Is there any way around this?

davidmcn

There's a self-build exemption - have you looked into the conditions for that?
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/community-infrastructure-levy#para082

Newnoel

davidmcn said:

There's a self-build exemption - have you looked into the conditions for that?
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/community-infrastructure-levy#para082

Thanks - I have indeed. The one potential mitigant I see is that there is an existing structure in the form of a garage in place that has a footprint of approx 15sqm. This can be counted against the new build footprint of 200 sqm, so it brings down the area under charge to c185 sqm. 

Newnoel

Any other views would be welcome

ProDave

Newnoel said:

Any other views would be welcome

You have been quoted the law.

You MUST apply for the exemption before you start the development and you must continue to live in the house for at 3 years.

You can seek other views, but that is the law.

If you are building for profit rather than you want to live in the house, you might just be better selling the plot to another self builder who really wants it.

seradane

As mentioned by ProDave, the CIL self-build exemption only counts if the property becomes your principle residence for three years afterwards. You could sell it after that point, however