Tories in Hot Water Over Misleading Claims on Homeowner CIL Charges

Waverley Conservatives have been caught red-handed spreading misinformation about Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) charges on homeowners — and it's time to set the record straight.

Recently, local Conservatives have attempted to blame the Liberal Democrat-led administration for CIL charges on larger home extensions. But the truth is clear: it was the Conservative-run Waverley Borough Council in 2018 that introduced these very charges — and they were explicitly included in the Conservative-approved Charging Schedule.

🔍 The Facts: What the Tories Really Did

The Community Infrastructure Levy is a tool used by councils to make sure that new developments help pay for local infrastructure — things like roads, schools, and healthcare facilities.

In 2018, under the Conservative administration, Waverley Borough Council submitted a Draft Charging Schedule (DCS) for examination by the Government’s Planning Inspector. That report, dated September 2018, confirms in black and white:

“The DCS proposes a matrix of CIL charges for residential developments (including residential extensions greater than 100 square metres), older persons housing schemes and for retail developments.”
— Government Inspector’s Report on Waverley’s CIL Charging Schedule, September 2018

So let’s be absolutely clear: it was the Conservatives who introduced CIL on large extensions, not the Liberal Democrats.

Yet now, as these charges begin to apply under national rules — with strict procedures and exemptions in place — the Tories are spreading confusion and wrongly accusing the current administration of unfairly targeting residents.

⚠️ Misleading Homeowners for Political Gain

We understand that residents undertaking home improvements may be surprised to discover that CIL applies in some cases — especially for extensions over 100 square metres. But the rules around this have been clear since the Tories put them in place in 2018.

What’s not acceptable is the deliberate attempt by local Conservatives to mislead homeowners, using social media and leaflets to claim that this is something new — or that it’s being wrongly applied.

The reality is:

• CIL on large extensions was introduced by the Conservatives.
• The Liberal Democrats are administering the policy as required by law.
• Strict national rules govern when CIL applies, how exemptions can be granted, and what procedures must be followed.
• Failure to follow the national procedure — such as not submitting exemption claims before work begins — means exemptions cannot legally be granted, even if the project would otherwise qualify.

🧾 What Reliefs and Exemptions Are Available?

To be fair to residents, there are exemptions available under national CIL Regulations — including for residential annexes and extensions — but these are tightly defined. The process includes submitting the correct forms before starting any work. If the proper steps aren’t followed, the council has no discretion to waive or refund the charge.

This isn’t red tape for red tape’s sake — it’s set out in national law. The responsibility for following these procedures lies with the applicant, not the council.

That’s why the Liberal Democrat administration is working hard to ensure homeowners are informed about these rules and supported to follow the correct process. But we cannot ignore the role of the previous administration in setting these charges in motion — nor the political games now being played.

💬 Holding the Tories to Account

The Conservatives’ latest U-turn on CIL is not just cynical — it’s a textbook case of political dishonesty. You cannot impose charges on residents one year and then pretend to oppose them the next, simply because you’re no longer in charge.

We’re calling on Waverley Conservatives to:

• Stop misleading residents about CIL charges and their origins;
• Take responsibility for the 2018 policy they introduced;
• And support efforts to ensure residents are fully informed and guided through the exemption process if eligible.

🟡 What the Lib Dems Are Doing

Liberal Democrat councillors at Waverley Borough Council are focused on:

✅ Administering CIL fairly and transparently

✅ Improving resident guidance and communication

✅ Reforming the local CIL regulations where we can to improve them

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