A small but significant planning milestone in London: Ealing is set to become the last borough to adopt a borough-level Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), due to take effect from 1 March 2026.
For developers, this marks a clear shift in the contributions landscape.
CIL brings greater clarity and predictability from the outset – a fixed, floorspace-based charge that can be built into appraisals early. But it also changes the balance of negotiation:
- Less scope for developer leverage through Section 106 alone
- Flat-rate charges applying regardless of scheme-specific circumstances
- Continued layering of Mayoral CIL alongside borough CIL
- Renewed focus on viability, especially where multiple obligations interact
- Loss of dedicated, site-specific contributions – replaced by a single central pot for the borough
The broader question remains: does CIL genuinely support delivery through certainty, or does it risk reducing flexibility at precisely the point London needs pragmatism most?
Talk to our team
If you would like to discuss what Ealing’s move means in practice – and the wider implications for CIL, Section 106 and viability across London – Paul Manning is happy to talk all things planning and developer contributions.