Planning Infrastructure
The Act replaces the current system of securing developer contributions (through section 106 agreements and the Community Infrastructure Levy) with a new Infrastructure Levy. The rates and thresholds will be contained in ‘charging schedules' and set and raised by local planning authorities (rather than nationally), meaning that rates can be tailored to local circumstances and deliver at least as much onsite affordable housing. Charging schedules must have regard to previous levels of affordable housing funded by developer contributions such that they are kept at a level that will exceed or maintain previous levels. All schedules will be subject to public examination.
	There will also be a process to require developers to deliver some forms of infrastructure that are integral to the design and delivery of a site. To make sure that infrastructure requirements and levy spending priorities are considered carefully, the Act places a new duty on local authorities to prepare infrastructure delivery strategies to outline how they intend to spend the levy.
	In preparing their development plans, local authorities may consult infrastructure providers where changes to or investment in their infrastructure is required to support development, such as providing for transport, education, the environment, healthcare, or blue light services. Under the Act, those infrastructure providers will be obliged to respond and to assist as is reasonable in the preparation of the plan.
	The Act enables Community Land Auctions to be piloted. These are an innovative approach to identifying land for allocation for development in a local planning authority’s area, in a way which seeks to improve land value capture for the benefit of local communities.