Letter: The Lack of Political Will to Fix the CIL Issue at Waverley Is Worrying

Published on: 9 Aug, 2025
Updated on: 9 Aug, 2025

From Jane Austin

Conservative borough councillor for Bramley & Wonersh

Lots of words from Cllr Townsend, and I am pleased to hear she is acknowledging the severity of the CIL issue at Waverley.

But there are significant issues. The review and refund scheme Waverley Borough Council has put in place will only refund council errors – but the onus is on the applicant to demonstrate proof of the council’s error and there is no right to appeal once a decision is made.

CIL victims say the scheme is deficient. To date, very tellingly, only one resident impacted by these huge charges has applied under the scheme so far.

Sir Jeremy Hunt MP and I met the Housing Minister, Matthew Pennycook in early July to petition on behalf of CIL victims for a change in CIL legislation and to ask for councils to be given guidance regarding refunding those unfairly hit.

The minister acknowledged it was not the intention of CIL legislation to hit homeowners who have been “very badly impacted”. We came away from that meeting confident that the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) were on the case changing the law; they have been very receptive to our suggestions as to how – so watch this space on this.

We are pleased to see the Minister subsequently publicly acknowledged the West Berkshire review scheme as an approach to refund homeowners hit by CIL charges – and he referenced Waverley for not following the same process.

So I ask – how many more hints does Waverley need? West Berkshire refunded 18 residents approximately £400,000 last year and removed accompanying CIL land charges from impacted homeowners properties. In short, West Berks applied justice via a successful review scheme with no subsequent legal recourse or issues. It seems increasingly clear Waverley can and should do the same.

Victims of Waverley’s CIL need help and support. Some have lost their homes, had awful stress and mental health battles because of these huge charges. The behaviour displayed to victims by Executive members is often hard to witness – as an example readers should take a look at how CIL residents were spoken to on Tuesday night in the WBC Executive meeting [from 1 min 50 seconds – https://www.youtube.com/live/7en1d-XKNKE] and make your own judgement as to whether you feel that was appropriate.

What really worries me, for all Cllr Townsend’s words, is in my view, the lack of political will, from those on Waverley’s Executive, to fix this.

Responses to Letter: The Lack of Political Will to Fix the CIL Issue at Waverley Is Worrying

Ian Colvin Reply

August 9, 2025 at 10:00 pm

The government say CIL is not for homeowners, endorsing councils that refund them. Over 20 councils, we know so far, let homeowners off yet Waverley still pursue us. It must be malice or greed driving them at this point.

They know legal opinions conflict and it’s a matter of interpretation and now there’s plenty of precedent of letting homeowners off. They could easily do it but don’t. Why?
Maria Dobson Reply

August 10, 2025 at 9:55 am

I completely agree – it’s simply not right. CIL isn’t just a Waverley issue; it’s affecting people all over the country. Showing the full question and the full answer before moving to a supplementary would help everyone watching, including those in other regions, to follow and learn from what’s going on.

Waverley Council must not be allowed to “mark its own homework.” They’ve been given an example by West Berkshire Council – so why won’t they take it? My guess, CIL is bringing in far too much money for them to want to change the way things are done.

And let’s not forget – these are people’s lives they’re dealing with. Show some compassion.