Building Safety Levy: What Developers Need to Know

The Building Safety Levy came in to force on 1 October 2026 and is a new charge on qualifying residential developments in England. It was introduced by the Government to help fund the remediation of unsafe building cladding and improve building safety standards.

The levy may be payable on new homes and purpose-built student accommodation, with rates varying between local authority areas. For developments within Ashford, the levy rates are:

• £33.98 per square metre (standard rate)
• £16.99 per square metre (discounted rate for qualifying previously developed land)

Despite the levy being linked to the Planning Application, it is administered through the building control process and so developers will be required to submit Building Safety Levy information as part of the building control process, including for developments that may qualify for an exemption. Failure to provide the required information could result in delays or applications being rejected. Failure to pay the levy, risks completion certificates being withheld.

Guidance has been produced for developers, local authorities and building control professionals, setting out how the levy is calculated, collected and administered. The Government has also included a range of exemptions, with details provided in the official guidance. Developers are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the requirements early in the planning and building control process to ensure compliance and avoid delays.

View further information on levy rates, exemptions, required information, payment arrangements and appeals.

Developers can also contact the council's Building Safety Levy team via bsl@ashford.gov.uk for advice and guidance.