Building Safety Levy (England)
The Building Safety Levy is a charge on certain new residential developments in England. It will be collected through the building control process and paid to central government to support building safety work.
For developments in Pendle, Pendle Borough Council is the collecting authority for the levy.
This page is based on the current regulations and guidance. As the Building Safety Levy is new, this information may change.
Key facts
- Start date: applies to relevant building control applications and notices submitted on or after 1 October 2026.
- Who it may affect: major residential developments (for example, 10+ dwellings or 30+ purpose-built student accommodation bedspaces), subject to exemptions.
- Pendle current levy rates (per m² of chargeable floorspace): standard rate £13.11/m²; previously developed land rate £6.55/m².
- Payment: where a levy charge applies, it must be paid before the earlier of first occupation and building control completion/final certification.
Pendle current levy rates
Levy rates are set nationally and differ by local authority area. The current rates for development in Pendle are:
|
Rate type |
Rate (£ per m²) |
|
Previously developed land rate |
£6.55 |
|
Non-previously developed land (standard) rate |
£13.11 |
- The levy rates may change in the future. You can check the current rates here.
Previously developed land – what this means
A discounted previously developed land rate may apply where the site meets the definition of a “previously developed site”. In broad terms, eligibility is assessed against the planning permission redline boundary and the regulatory definition of previously developed land.
When the levy applies
The levy is linked to the building control process and applies to relevant building control submissions made on or after 1 October 2026. Whether a charge applies depends on the development meeting the levy charging conditions (including whether it is a major residential development and whether exemptions apply).
Information developers may need to provide
- Number of dwellings or purpose-built student accommodation bedspaces (and whether the works are part of a wider development).
- Relevant planning permission reference and supporting planning information.
- Floorspace information (gross internal area schedules) and communal space information.
- Evidence for any claimed exemptions.
- Evidence to support use of the previously developed land rate (where claimed).
When to pay and what happens if you do not pay
Where a levy charge applies, payment must be made before the earlier of first occupation and building control completion/final certification. Payment instructions will be provided with the levy determination. If the levy is not paid, building control completion/final certification will be withheld or rejected.
Reviews, refunds and appeals
If a developer disagrees with a levy decision (for example the amount charged or a refund decision), they will be able to request a review and, if still dissatisfied, appeal to the First-tier Tribunal.
Developer/Agent checklist
To help developers and agents prepare for the Building Safety Levy process, we have produced a checklist covering the information, evidence and key stages linked to the building control process.
The checklist includes guidance on:
- building control submission requirements
- levy charging information and supporting evidence
- floorspace calculations and gross internal area schedules
- previously developed land evidence
- exemption evidence requirements
- payment, certification and review processes
The checklist also explains what information may be required at different stages of the development process, including before submission, at commencement and prior to completion/final certification.
Contact Building Control
Email: building.control@pendle.gov.uk