Infrastructure Funding Statement
1. Introduction
Overview
1.1 The Wiltshire Core Strategy (Local Plan) (Adopted 2015) provides for at least 42,000 homes and approximately 178 ha of employment land in Wiltshire from 2006 to 2026. To support this growth, a large amount of infrastructure will be required. However, the Local Plan is currently under review, which is at an advanced stage having been submitted for examination in November 2024.
1.2 The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) will be used alongside other sources of funding, such as Section 106 planning obligations, grants and borrowing, to deliver the infrastructure necessary to support development.
1.3 This Infrastructure Funding Statement (IFS) reports on Section 106 and CIL collected and spent during the period between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024.
1.4 The IFS outlines Wiltshire Council's future spending priorities for developer contributions.
1.5 The council has prioritised and allocated the spending of CIL according to governance arrangements and criteria originally approved by Cabinet on 14 March 2017 and subsequently updated on 27 September 2021. In line with the criteria, Cabinet considers bids for CIL funding on a periodic basis.
1.6 The Infrastructure Delivery Plan (IDP) is periodically updated, most recently in September 2023 to support the review of the Local Plan, and provides further information on infrastructure to support growth, including projects referred to in the IFS.
1.7 Chapter Two summarises the collection and expenditure of Section 106 Planning Obligations. Appendix A provides details of Section 106 contributions from individual developments in a spreadsheet format.
1.8 Chapter Three summarises the collection and expenditure of CIL. Appendix B provides details of CIL contributions from individual developments in a spreadsheet format.
1.9 Chapter Three discusses future spending priorities and projected income for CIL. Appendix C is the CIL Infrastructure List, which sets out infrastructure projects that may be funded, in whole or in part, through CIL.
Section 106 Planning Obligations
1.10 A planning obligation may be required by the Council to:
- Manage the mix of development, for example, securing that a proportion of the housing must be affordable.
- Compensate for the loss or damage caused by the development, for example, loss of hedgerow.
- Mitigate a development's impact, for example, increase public transport provision.
1.11 To mitigate the impacts of development, planning obligations can be:
- Financial obligations requiring monetary contributions to the local authority to fund works or services, and
- In-kind obligations requiring specific actions to be performed by specific parties.
1.12 The council can secure planning obligations through a legal agreement (under section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990) with an applicant. Or it will expect the applicant to enter into a unilateral undertaking, which is a type of planning obligation provided directly by the applicant. A planning obligation is attached to the land, which means that it will remain enforceable even when the land is sold.
1.13 Regulation 122 of the CIL Regulations 2010 (as amended) sets out three statutory tests for planning obligations, namely that:
1.14 "A planning obligation may only constitute a reason for granting planning permission for the development if the obligation is:
- Necessary to make the development acceptable in planning terms,
- Directly related to the development; and
- Fairly and reasonably related in scale and kind to the development."
1.15 The CIL Regulations (2019) abolished Regulation 123, thereby removing the 'double-dipping' and 'pooling' restrictions that had prevented Local Planning Authorities from spending section 106 and CIL on the same infrastructure type or project, or from using more than five separate planning obligations towards an infrastructure type or project capable of being funded by CIL.
Community Infrastructure Levy
1.16 CIL is a fixed, non-negotiable charge on new development. The amount is based upon the size of a development and is charged in pounds per square metre. It varies according to the type of development (e.g., residential, retail or employment uses) and in which area of Wiltshire the development takes place. The CIL Charging Schedule sets out the CIL rates that apply to different types of development in different parts of the county.
1.17 CIL applies to development that creates net additional floorspace (measured as Gross Internal Area) of at least 100 square metres. Development of less than 100 square metres is also liable for CIL if it involves the creation of at least one new dwelling. CIL is calculated at the same time as planning permission is granted on a Full or Reserved Matters application. It is payable upon commencement of development in line with the charging authority's proposed instalments policy. There are several types of development that do not pay CIL, by virtue of the rates being £0, and these are listed in the Charging Schedule.
1.18 CIL payments must be index-linked from the year that CIL was introduced to the year that planning permissions are granted. The index we must use is the national RICS Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Index, published by the Build Cost Information Service (BCIS).
1.19 CIL will be used to help fund infrastructure projects on the Infrastructure List. These projects are taken from the IDP, which identifies infrastructure necessary to deliver housing and employment development in the Core Strategy. The intention behind CIL is that it will contribute towards the funding of infrastructure to support the cumulative impact of development across the county. Planning obligations will be used to mitigate the site-specific impact of development and deliver affordable housing.
1.20 A broad definition of 'infrastructure' for the purposes of CIL funding is set out in section 216(2) of the Planning Act 2008 and includes:
- Roads and other transport facilities
- Flood defences
- Schools and other education facilities
- Medical facilities
- Sporting and recreational facilities
- Open spaces
1.21 The council must pass at least 15% of CIL, capped at £100 per council tax rateable dwelling and indexed for inflation, to the parish council in whose area the development takes place. In areas covered by a 'made' neighbourhood plan, this amount rises to 25% of CIL, uncapped, from development. Up to 5% of CIL received can be used to cover the council's CIL administration costs.
2. Section 106 Planning Obligations
Collection and expenditure
2.1 Looking at Section 106 activity between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024, the council received a total of £11,050,329.94 in Section 106 financial contributions, with £9,110,141.47 being spent within this period. This spend consists of £34,343.00 for funding highways works in the county, £2,316,380.15 spent on improving existing or creating new open spaces, £505,949.25 on affordable housing and £5,838,740.60 towards additional school places in the county.
| Infrastructure type | Section 106 monies received |
|---|---|
| Public open space | £385,432.19 |
| Affordable housing | £998,803.03 |
| Highways | £2,041,699.32 |
| Education | £5,367,360.41 |
| Other1 | £2,257,034.99 |
| TOTAL | £11,050,329.94 |
| Infrastructure type | Section 106 monies spent |
|---|---|
| Public open space | £2,316,380.15 |
| Affordable housing | £505,949.25 |
| Highways | £34,343.00 |
| Education | £5,838,740.60 |
| Other1 | £414,728.47 |
| TOTAL | £9,110,141.47 |
| Infrastructure type | Section 106 monies spent |
|---|---|
| Public open space | £6,611,941.08 |
| Affordable housing | £4,424,739.55 |
| Highways | £16,981,452.48 |
| Education | £28,680,101.71 |
| Other1 | £6,825,843.41 |
| TOTAL | £63,524,078.23 |
1Includes public art, ecology, community facilities, air quality, waste and recycling, libraries, fire service and health care.
2These figures may include some historical expired funds in some areas.
2.2 Section 106 monies are normally ring-fenced to be spent in the area where the development will take place to mitigate its impact. Financial contributions typically have a set time within which they can be spent; in Wiltshire, this is usually 10 years. Therefore, at any one time there will be a pot of monies that will have accrued but that is restricted in the way it can be spent and is often tied to specific projects and therefore cannot be used for other purposes.
Future spending priorities
2.3 Section 106 income varies on a site-by-site basis depending upon a range of factors, such as the viability of development and site-specific considerations. This makes it difficult to forecast future Section 106 income and expenditure.
2.4 Appendix A provides details on the following:
- Developments from which Section 106 contributions have been received between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024.
3. Community Infrastructure Levy
Collection and expenditure
3.1 The amount of CIL carried forward to the financial year 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024 is set out in Table 4.
| CIL carried forward | Amount |
|---|---|
| Strategic CIL (Wiltshire Council) | £40,293,704.93 |
| Local CIL (Town/ Parish Councils) | £534,214.57 |
| Admin | £0 |
| TOTAL | £40,827,919.50 |
3.2 Total CIL income between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024 was £9,116,964.86, as set out in Table 5. Details of each CIL receipt and how it was apportioned are set out in Appendix B3. The council did not receive any land or infrastructure payments (i.e., the provision of land or infrastructure in lieu of paying CIL) between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024.
| CIL received | Amount |
|---|---|
| Strategic CIL (Wiltshire Council) | £6,734,875.63 |
| Local CIL (Town/ Parish Councils) | £1,905,054.00 |
| Admin | £477,035.23 |
| Total | £9,116,964.86 |
3.3 The total value of CIL set out in all demand notices issued between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024 was £10,573,368.40. A CIL demand notice is a formal document issued by the council to a developer, stating the amount of CIL they must pay for a development. It is based on the approved planning permission, the council's CIL charging schedule, and the development's details, such as size and type. The notice specifies the payment amount, due dates, and any instalment options. A difference between the total CIL in demand notices and the amount collected in the same financial year is normal and reflects payment schedules and exemption. Many developers pay in instalments, so some liabilities are due in future years. Additionally, exemptions or reliefs granted after demand notices are issued can reduce the amount payable. Some payments may also be delayed due to disputes or appeals.
3.4 £1,988,294.68 was devolved to town and parish councils between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024.
3.5 £2,842,785.07 was spent from CIL on strategic infrastructure projects between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024. Committed CIL expenditure relating to strategic infrastructure projects is set out later in this statement.
3.6 The council can also use up to 5% of CIL towards administrative costs. The council collected and spent £477,035.23 of CIL towards administrative expenses between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024. This is 5.2% of the total amount of CIL collected during this period.
3.7 In summary, therefore, the amount of CIL remaining and carried forward to the financial year 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025 is set out in Table 6.
| CIL carried forward | Amount |
|---|---|
| Strategic CIL (Wiltshire Council) | £44,185,795.49 |
| Local CIL (Town/ Parish Councils) | £450,973.89 |
| Admin | £0 |
| Total | £44,636,769.38 |
3.8 Since 2015, when the council started charging CIL on new development, the total amount of strategic CIL accumulated up to 31 March 2024 is set out in Table 7 below.
| CIL carried forward | Amount |
|---|---|
| Allocated | £35,616,984.00 |
| Unallocated | £14,176,403.30 |
| Total | £49,793,387.31 |
Priority projects
3.9 As set out in Table 7 above, as of 31 March 2024, a total of £49.8m of strategic CIL has been collected by the council since it started charging CIL on new developments in 2015. £35.6m has been allocated towards infrastructure projects and, of this, £5.6m has been spent, which is discussed further in the rest of this section and broken down in Table 8 below.
| Date approved | Total allocated as of 31 March 2024 | Total drawdown as of 31 March 2024 | Drawdown between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024 | Infrastructure category | Project |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 2018 | £119,000 | £119,000 | £0 | Education | Preliminary studies for the expansion of Abbeyfield School, Chippenham |
| December 2018 | £136,000 | £82,580 | £0 | Transport | Preliminary studies for the following:
|
| January 2021 | £850,000 | £168,535 | £45,688 | Open space, green infrastructure, and the environment | Strategic fund to deliver offsetting mitigation measures to help secure phosphate neutral development in the catchment area for the River Avon (Hampshire) SAC |
| September 2021 | £6,427,229 | £319,350 | £129,520 | Education | Phase 1 of the expansion of Abbeyfield School, Chippenham |
| September 2021 | £1,350,000 | £122,145 | £25,672 | Open space, green infrastructure, and the environment | Strategic fund to mitigate the impact of recreational pressures from development on bat habitats associated with the Bath and Bradford on Avon Special Area of Conservation (SAC) in line with the Trowbridge Bat Mitigation Strategy (February 2020). |
| September 2021 | £220,000 | £47,500 | £12,000 | Open space, green infrastructure, and the environment | Strategic fund for measures to mitigate the impact of recreational pressures from development on the Salisbury Plain Special Protection Area (SPA). |
| September 2021 | £750,000 | £0 | £0 | Open space, green infrastructure, and the environment | Strategic fund to mitigate recreational pressures arising from development on the New Forest Protected Sites in line with the Interim Recreation Mitigation Strategy for the New Forest Internationally protected sites (January 2022). |
| February 2022 | £3,154,212 | £1,620,458 | £437,243 | Transport | A350 Chippenham Bypass improvements phases 4 and 5 |
| February 2022 | £4,516,000 | £420,304 | £207,518 | Transport | A350 M4 Junction 17 capacity improvements |
| February 2022 | £1,377,783 | £578,469 | £449,293 | Transport | A338 Southern Salisbury Junction improvements (Exeter Street Roundabout, Harnham Gyratory and Park Wall Junction) |
| February 2022 | £3,909,500 | £195,058 | £1,657 | Transport | A350 Melksham Bypass |
| April 2022 | £400,000 | £400,000 | £400,000 | Transport | Local Highways and Footpath Improvement Groups (LHFIGs) |
| April 2022 | £160,500 | £0 | £0 | Open space, green infrastructure, and the environment | Air quality monitoring infrastructure at Bradford-on-Avon, Calne, Devizes and Salisbury. |
| April 2022 | £1,000,000 | See previous entry | See previous entry | Open space, green infrastructure, and the environment | Increase the pot of funding, from £1.35m to £2.35m to mitigate the impact of recreational pressures from development on bat habitats associated with the Bath and Bradford on Avon Special Area of Conservation (SAC) in line with the Trowbridge Bat Mitigation Strategy (February 2020). |
| July 2023 | -£53,420 | n/a | n/a | Transport | Underspend on preliminary feasibility transport studies. |
| July 2023 | £800,000 | £400,000 | £400,000 | Transport | Local Highways and Footpath Improvement Groups (LHFIGs) for the financial years 2023/24 and 2024/25. |
| September 2023 | £500,000 | £500,000 | £500,000 | Open space, green infrastructure, and the environment | Salisbury River Park |
| September 2023 | £10,000,000 | £634,193 | £634,193 | Leisure | Trowbridge Leisure Centre |
| Total | £35,616,984 | £5,607,591 | £2,842,785 |
Education projects
3.10 Following Cabinet in December 2018 and approval of initial funding of £119,000, a preliminary study was completed on the expansion of Abbeyfield School. The project is required to support the cumulative demand from planned growth at Chippenham, namely the allocations in the Chippenham Site Allocations Plan. The study has shaped the project brief and identified that the school should be expanded in three phases rather than two, with each phase being for 150 pupils and equate to a single form of entry. No Government funding has been identified or is likely to become available to support the project within the Core Strategy plan period up to 2026. The study has identified the cost of Phase 1 as c£6.4m and Phase 2 as c£3.02m.
3.11 On 27 September 2021, Cabinet approved the release of further funding of circa £6.43m for Phase 1 of the expansion of Abbeyfield Secondary School. Phase 1 needs to be ready for occupation in September 2027.
3.12 The timing of further phases of expansion at Abbeyfield will be determined by the build out rate of future housing and the availability of pupil places at the other secondary schools in Chippenham. Phase 1 will cost more than subsequent phases as it includes the creation of a second access to the school, additional car parking, provision of incoming utilities, net carbon zero technologies etc.
3.13 A planning application has already been submitted covering all three phases and is awaiting determination. The expected programme is for works to commence on site by March 2026 and complete ready for occupation by September 2027.
3.14 Table 9 shows the allocation of CIL funding to the expansion of Abbeyfield School, Chippenham, and the potential for future drawdown.
| Project | Total cost | Total allocation(s) (As of 31 December 2024) | Drawdown from finance (As of 31 March 2024) | Timing of the drawdown of the full amount | Likelihood of future requirement being needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Expansion of Abbeyfield Secondary School, Chippenham | £12,053,800* *Estimate prior to feasibility study. Likely to increase due to inflation. | £6,546,229 | £438,350.37 | Feasibility study: Feasibility study complete. Phase 1 (£6.43m): Phase 2 (£3.02m): Timing will depend on the build out rate of housing and the availability of places at other schools. Phase 3 (£TBCm): | Medium: CIL funding for 150 places has been allocated for Phase 1. Future phases are expected to be funded through a combination of CIL and Section 106, with Section 106 contributions sought from non-allocated major sites. |
Transport projects
3.15 In December 2018, Cabinet approved CIL funding of £136,000 towards preliminary feasibility studies in relation to the following transport projects:
- Malmesbury Road, Roundabout, Chippenham
- Bridge Centre Gyratory, Chippenham, and
- A361 Holy Trinity Gyratory, Trowbridge
3.16 In July 2023, Cabinet removed a £0.053m underspend on the CIL Funded schemes budget. This had been allocated for these preliminary feasibility transport studies, which have now all completed. The removal will allow CIL to be reallocated to other projects.
3.17 In February 2022, Cabinet added to the Infrastructure List and approved £12,957,495 of CIL funding for the following transport projects:
- A338 Southern Salisbury Junction improvements (Exeter Street Roundabout, Harnham Gyratory and Park Wall Junction)
- A350 Chippenham Bypass improvements phases 4 and 5
- A350 M4 Junction 17 capacity improvements, and
- A350 Melksham Bypass
3.18 The A338 Southern Salisbury Junction improvements project is identified in the Salisbury Transport Strategy. It will support planned growth in the Wiltshire Housing Site Allocations Plan by improving the strategic transport network, which includes the A338 around Salisbury. To ensure timely progression of the project, CIL will contribute towards the funding gap left following the allocation of Section 106 contributions (£960,000).
3.19 The A350 Chippenham Bypass improvements phases 4 and 5 project is identified in the Chippenham Transport Strategy. It will improve the A350 to support its functionality as a strategic road corridor and the sustainable growth of west Wiltshire, thus supporting planned growth in the Chippenham Site Allocations Plan. Similarly, CIL will contribute towards the funding gap left after the allocation of Major Road Network (MRN) funding (£26.625m).
3.20 The A350 M4 Junction 17 capacity improvements project is a result of work undertaken by the council that identified the need for additional investment at the top of the A350 around Junction 17 to support its functionality. This project will provide further capacity improvements over and above those secured as part of the Chippenham Gateway development. CIL will contribute towards the local funding gap left following the allocation of MRN funding (estimated at £25.9m).
3.21 Funding towards the A350 Melksham Bypass project, which will address longstanding concerns about capacity in the A350 through Beanacre and Melksham, will progress the scheme to the Full Business Case stage. Discussions will continue to be held with the Department of Transport (DfT) regarding the longer-term funding arrangements for the scheme.
3.22 Table 9 sets out the CIL funding profile for these projects.
| CIL contribution | 2022/ 23 | 2023/ 24 | 2024/ 25 | 2025/ 26 | 2026/ 27 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A350 M4 Junction 17 capacity improvements | £212,786 | £207,518 | £581,887 | £411,569 | £3,102,240 | £4,516,000 |
| A338 Southern Salisbury Junction improvements | £129,176 | £68,824 | £562,640 | £617,143 | £0 | £1,377,783 |
| A350 Chippenham Bypass Phases 4 and 5 | £1,183,215 | £437,243 | £922,895 | £610,859 | £0 | £3,154,212 |
| A350 Melksham Bypass | £193,401 | £1,657 | £0 | £1,151,922 | £2,562,520 | £3,909,500 |
| Local Highways and Footpath Improvement Groups (LHFIGs) | £400,000 | £400,000 | £400,000 | £0 | £0 | £1,200,000 |
| Total: | £2,118,578 | £1,115,242 | £5,539,064 | £3,334,133 | £5,664,760 | £14,157,495 |
3.23 In April 2022, Cabinet added to the council's CIL Infrastructure List and approved funding for up to £400,000 to the Local Highways and Footpath Improvement Groups (LHFIGs) programme for projects that relate to pedestrian and cycle improvements. These projects comprise infrastructure improvements to support walking and cycling, associated safety measures or projects to improve the attractiveness of travel by these modes. In July 2023, Cabinet approved a further £800,000 to finance £400,000 per year for the 2023/24 and 2024/25 budgets for LHFIGs.
3.24 In July 2024, Cabinet approved an allocation of £5m of CIL to increase the investment in highways improvements, which will maintain existing infrastructure and supporting the delivery of the priorities set out in the Council's Business Plan.
3.25 Table 11 summarises CIL funding allocations to transport schemes and the potential for future draw.
| Project | Total cost | Total CIL allocation (as of 31 December 2024) | Drawdown from finance (as of 31 March 2024) | Timing of the drawdown of the full amount | Likelihood of future requirement being needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malmesbury Road Roundabout, Chippenham | £3m | £80,000 | £82,580 (combined) | Complete | Medium: Project should provide capacity to support future growth at the town. As such, the Local Plan Review will need to be more advanced before further funding is committed. |
| Bridge Centre Gyratory, Chippenham | £1m | £36,000 | See above. | Complete | Medium: Project needs to be coordinated with the regeneration of the Bridge Centre and Bath Road Car Park site in Chippenham. |
| A361 Holy Trinity Gyratory, Trowbridge | £1m | £20,000 | See above. | Complete | Medium: Projects needs to be coordinated with the regeneration of associated sites in central Trowbridge. |
| A350 M4 Junction 17 capacity improvements | £30m | £4,516,000 | £420,304 | Short-term (next five years). See Table 10. | Medium: Most of the remaining funding to be provided by an estimated DfT MRN contribution of £25.9m. |
| A338 Southern Salisbury Junction improvements | £2.3m | £1,377,783 | £578,469 | Short-term (next five years). See Table 10. | Medium: Most of the remaining funding to be provided by Section 106 contributions of circa. £0.96m. |
| A350 Chippenham Bypass Phases 4 and 5 | £30m | £3,154,212 | £1,620,457 | Short-term (next five years). See Table 10. | Medium: Most of the remaining funding to be provided by a DfT MRN contribution of £26.625m. |
| A350 Melksham Bypass | £236m | £3,909,500 | £195,058 | Short-to-medium-term (next 10 years). See Table 10. | Medium: CIL funding will progress the scheme to Full Business Case stage. Discussions will continue to be held with DfT regarding longer-term funding arrangements for the scheme. |
| Local Highways and Footpath Improvement Groups (LHFIGs) | £1,200,000 | £1,200,000 | £800,000 | Short-term (next five years). See Table 10. | High: After initial funding of £400,000 for 2022-23, Cabinet approved further funding of £400,000 for 2023-24 and 2024-25. |
Environmental projects
3.26 In January and September 2021, Cabinet approved pots of funding for European protected sites that can be drawn down in an efficient way. This followed their earlier decision, in December 2018, to give delegated authority to allocate CIL spending for projects that are needed to support planned growth and provide mitigation measures to ensure no adverse impacts on the integrity of protected sites.
Nutrient Management Plan (River Avon)
3.27 In January 2021, Cabinet approved a ring-fenced initial pot of £850,000 for the delivery of off-setting measures to achieve phosphate neutral development in the River Avon (Hampshire) Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and fund a project officer to oversee delivery, monitoring, and reporting. Further funding beyond the initial allocation will be required to cover planning permissions that have no outstanding matters or conditions prior to February 2024, when Cabinet approved a new developer funded approach.
Salisbury Plain Special Protection Area (SPA)
3.28 In September 2021, Cabinet approved a ring-fenced pot of up to £220,000 for the next four-year monitoring contract and visitor surveys, which form part of the mitigation strategy for the Salisbury Plain Special Protection Area (SPA). This will ensure that protected bird species, namely the Stone Curlew, are not adversely affected due to recreational impact arising from development.
New Forest protected sites (Special Protection Area, Special Area of Conservation and Ramsar site)
3.29 Also in September 2021, Cabinet approved an initial strategic fund of £750,000 to contribute to the delivery of appropriate measures identified in the mitigation strategy for the New Forest protected sites. These measures will ensure that there is no adverse impact on the protected sites from recreational pressure arising from new development.
3.30 It was agreed by Cabinet on 7 May 2024 to update the current interim strategic approach for managing recreational pressures on the New Forest protected sites with a revised strategy. This ensures a consistent strategic approach across the local authority areas that lie within the zone of influence and co-ordination with the other Local Planning Authorities on the New Forest Strategic Mitigation Project Steering Group. This strategy secures developer contributions from new housing and tourist development to ensure appropriate mitigation is delivered to prevent harm to protected sites.
Other mitigation strategies
3.31 In April 2022, Cabinet approved an increase to the pot of funding, from £1.35m up to £2.35m, for the delivery of measures to mitigate the impact of recreational pressures upon bat habitats associated with the Bath and Bradford on Avon Bats Special Area of Conservation from housing development around Trowbridge. Through the adoption of the Trowbridge Bat Mitigation Strategy Supplementary Planning Document (February 2020), the council had originally committed to the use of circa £1.35m CIL. In September 2021, Cabinet had approved an initial CIL funding pot to be created for this.
3.32 The council has also worked with Natural England and adjoining Local Planning authorities on the development of an interim mitigation strategy to address any impact arising from development due to recreational pressures on the North Meadows Special Area of Conservation (SAC) in the north of the County. This strategy was approved in October 2023 and is funded by developer contributions for new housing and tourism development within the zone of influence.
Air quality monitoring infrastructure
3.33 In April 2022, Cabinet approved £160,500 of CIL funding towards air quality monitoring infrastructure at Bradford-on-Avon, Calne, Devizes and Salisbury, where infrastructure is either absent or failing. This is the funding gap once Section 106 contributions of £19,571 from development in Bradford on Avon and Calne has been considered. The monitoring data will inform the shaping of development to address air quality issues, which in turn enables investment in essential infrastructure as part of development. For example, to manage air quality by providing walking and cycling routes.
Salisbury River Park
3.34 In September 2023, Cabinet approved £0.5m of CIL funding for Salisbury River Park to address increased costs and secure additional partner funding. The New Forest Mitigation Strategy (2023) notes "that extensive green infrastructure will be created in the heart of Salisbury at Salisbury River Park within the next five years. Both this and the Country Park at Hampton Park are interesting areas of open space created at scale in accessible locations and, as such, can be expected to offset a proportion of visits to the New Forest arising from the quantum of housing allocated for Salisbury by the Wiltshire Core Strategy." Salisbury River Park is also expected to contribute to offsetting recreational pressure from housing allocations in the Wiltshire Housing Site Allocations Plan.
Leisure projects
Trowbridge Leisure Centre
3.35 In September 2023, Cabinet approved £10m of CIL funding to Trowbridge Leisure Centre to release borrowing to increase the Highways and Transport Budget for increased investment.
Health and Social Care Projects
Trowbridge Integrated Care Centre
3.36 In September 2024, Cabinet approved £3m of CIL funding to Trowbridge Integrated Care Centre (TICC). The TICC project aims to develop a new purpose-built healthcare facility to replace the existing Community Hospital and deliver additional primary care capacity.
Public Realm Projects
Chippenham River Avon Project
3.37 In October 2024, Cabinet indicated that it was prepared to commit up to £1 million of CIL funding to the Chippenham Avon Project, subject to confirmation of match funding and contractual arrangements being in place, which will be provided in a future report to Cabinet. The Chippenham River Avon Project, part of the One Plan produced by the Chippenham Town Centre Partnership Board (TCPB), is intended to provide better flood mitigation and improve the public realm through the town centre as well as providing a focal point for the town, whilst implementing essential flood risk mitigation measures to safeguard both current and future residents and businesses.
Future spending priorities
3.38 Table 12 shows, as of 31 March 2024, the total amount of CIL collected since the council started charging CIL in 2015.
| CIL | Amount |
|---|---|
| Strategic CIL (Wiltshire Council) | £49,793,387.31 |
| Local CIL (Town/ Parish Councils) | £12,535,084.63 |
| Admin | £3,360,847.09 |
| TOTAL | £65,689,319.03 |
3.39 This shows that, over the last nine years since the council started charging CIL, the average amount of CIL received is about £7.3m per year. Should CIL continue to accumulate at this rate, by 2026 about £80.3m will have been received in total. This would break down into an estimated £60.9m for strategic CIL, £15.3m for parish councils and £4.1m for administration costs. The strategic CIL is the amount that the council has available to spend on projects on the Infrastructure List (Appendix C). However, the estimated total cost of all the projects on the List is about £389m4. This means that the strategic CIL would only meet around 15.6% of the total cost and, therefore, it is necessary to prioritise spending. It should also be emphasised that CIL is only one source of funding to help deliver infrastructure to support development.
3.40 As of December 2024, the council has allocated £43.6m of Strategic CIL5, leaving unallocated £6.4m of the amount accumulated as of 31 March 2024. Cabinet resolved to make reporting updates on CIL spend and recommendations for allocation as part of the quarterly budget reporting to Cabinet where appropriate. This will ensure greater visibility and the link to the revenue and capital programmes.
3.41 Factors that might affect the amount of strategic CIL accumulated by 2026 include:
- Economic factors
- Neighbourhood plans e.g., increasing number of made neighbourhood plans means more CIL passed to parish councils
- National policy changes.
3.36 Appendix C is the CIL Infrastructure List, which is a statement of the infrastructure that may be funded, in whole or in part, through CIL.
3 A total amount taken from individual CIL receipts in Appendix B may differ from the summary totals in Table 4 due to the timings of separate monitoring systems relating to finance and planning.
4 Wiltshire Council (2023) Infrastructure Delivery Plan. Available at: Infrastructure Delivery Plan - review and update 2021 (PDF, 3 MB)(opens new window).
5 This does not include the £1m of CIL funding that Cabinet indicated it was prepared to contribute towards the Chippenham River Avon project, as this was subject to confirmation of match funding and contractual arrangements being in place, which will be provided in a future report to Cabinet.
Appendix A: Section 106 Planning Obligations data spreadsheet
Appendix A: Section 106 Planning Obligations data spreadsheet is available to download:
Infrastructure Funding Statement 2024 Appendix A Section 106 (PDF, 429 KB)(opens new window)
Infrastructure Funding Statement 2024 Appendix A Section 106 (Excel doc, 27 KB)(opens new window)
Appendix B: Community Infrastructure Levy data spreadsheet
Appendix B: Community Infrastructure Levy data spreadsheet is available to download below:
Appendix C: The Community Infrastructure Levy Infrastructure List
Introduction
The CIL Amendment Regulations 2019 abolished the Regulation 123 List and replaced it with the 'Infrastructure List', part of the Infrastructure Funding Statement that CIL charging authorities are required to publish annually by 31 December.
This is the Infrastructure List. Projects have been split into separate tables of 'essential' and 'place-shaping' infrastructure. This distinction is set out in paragraphs 4.41 and 4.42 of the Wiltshire Core Strategy. Core Policy 3 priorities essential infrastructure in the event of competing demands. An explanation of why projects are on the Infrastructure List has been included.
Since the previous Infrastructure List, published in December 2023, projects have been added to the List. The List can also be updated mid-year to reflect any new projects that need to be included and ensure that the Council retains an agile approach to the prioritisation and allocation of CIL funding.
Essential Infrastructure
(As set out in paragraphs 4.41 and 4.42 of the Wiltshire Core Strategy. Core Policy 3 prioritises essential infrastructure in the event of competing demands.)
| Category | Project | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Education | Expansion of the following schools to provide additional secondary school places:
| This project is required to support the cumulative demand from planned growth at Chippenham, namely the allocations in the Chippenham Site Allocations Plan. |
| Sustainable transport | Chippenham Transport Strategy:
Salisbury Transport Strategy:
Trowbridge Transport Strategy:
Other transport projects:
| With Chippenham, Salisbury, and Trowbridge a focus of strategic growth within the County, their respective transport strategies include (mainly) highways, public transport, and walking/ cycling schemes considered necessary either to:
Outside the three principal settlements growth areas, other transport schemes are considered necessary to mitigate the cumulative impact of strategic growth. Investment in highways improvements will maintain existing infrastructure and support the delivery of the priorities set out in the Council's Business Plan. 1 This project combines three previously separate projects; Chippenham Railway Station car parking capacity enhancements and parking controls, Improvements to Chippenham Station: interchange, accessibility, and Chippenham Station Redevelopment. |
| Open space, green infrastructure, and the environment | European protected sites projects:
| A proportion of CIL is ring-fenced for these projects to ensure compliance with the Habitats Regulations, reflecting an agreement with Natural England during the preparation of the Wiltshire Core Strategy (Local Plan). Recreational pressures from development within the Bath and Bradford on Avon Special Area of Conservation will be mitigated in line with the Trowbridge Bat Mitigation Strategy. |
| Health and social care | Shared Primary Care Centre at Chippenham Hospital Trowbridge Integrated Care Centre [New] | With Chippenham a focus of strategic growth in the Core Strategy, redevelopment of the Chippenham Hospital site remains a priority for the NHS. The Trowbridge Integrated Care Centre (TICC) will replace the existing Trowbridge Community Hospital and support planned housing growth in the town. |
Place-shaping Infrastructure
(As set out in paragraphs 4.41 and 4.42 of the Wiltshire Core Strategy. Core Policy 3 priorities essential infrastructure in the event of competing demands.)
| Category | Project | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Open space, green infrastructure, and the environment | Provision of air quality monitoring infrastructure Expansion of existing cemeteries in:
Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs AONB Green countryside training and visitor centre. Salisbury River Park Chippenham River Avon Project [New] | Strategic monitoring of air quality in the eight designated Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) in Wiltshire; Salisbury, Bradford on Avon, Devizes, Marlborough, Westbury and Calne. Extensions to existing cemeteries managed by Wiltshire Council will be required to meet the need for burial space arising from the cumulative impact of new development. These cemeteries have been identified as being full, or close to being full, and likely to close without additional funding. A multifunctional countryside centre remains an objective and a policy (WIL8) in the current Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs (CCWWD) Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Management Plan 2019-2024. The Salisbury River Park scheme will create an extensive and accessible area of open space/ green infrastructure in the heart of Salisbury and, as such, is expected to offset a proportion of visits to the New Forest arising from housing allocations in Salisbury by the Wiltshire Core Strategy and Wiltshire Housing Site Allocations Plan. The Chippenham River Avon Project, a key project identified in the One Plan, will provide better flood mitigation and improves the public realm through the town centre as well as providing a focal point for the town. The Chippenham Avon Project aims to enrich the river's ambiance and enhance its overall quality, whilst implementing essential flood risk mitigation measures to safeguard both current and future residents and businesses. |
| Community and cultural | Upgrades to sport and recreation facilities within the following buildings:
Wiltshire Museums - archaeological storage Swindon & Cricklade Railway - expansion of leisure/ recreation route from Mouldon Hill to Moredon Bridge Library provision. | Upgrades to sport and recreation facilities in Wiltshire Council buildings meet an identified strategic need in the Indoor Facilities Strategy and Playing Pitch Strategy. The capacity for archaeological storage may be exceeded by the need to meet expected demand from development over the Core Strategy period (up to 2026). The Swindon & Cricklade Railway project would provide a commuter service from Cricklade to Swindon. The continual updating of library facilities across Wiltshire is a priority for the library service. Enhanced facilities are a particular need in Amesbury, Chippenham, Malmesbury, Marlborough, Mere, Salisbury and Warminster. |
Removed projects
Bradford on Avon and Trowbridge cemeteries have both been transferred to the respective town councils now, so they have been removed from the list of council-owned cemeteries on the Infrastructure List.
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