Politics
Camberwell votes November on levy funding roads, libraries from 2027
Camberwell residents in multiple wards will see any approved levy funds applied to road maintenance and library operations starting in the 2027-28 financial year.
How we reported this
The Camberwell Borough Council has confirmed a 12 November 2026 date for a local referendum on the Community Infrastructure Levy ballot measure, which would apply charges on certain new residential and commercial developments within the borough.
The vote follows the council's adoption of its 2026-27 budget in March, where officers identified gaps in capital funding for infrastructure after the latest local government finance settlement from central government.
Effects on Daily Services
Passage of the measure would direct levy receipts to designated projects listed in the council's infrastructure delivery plan, including resurfacing works on Camberwell Road and upgrades to the Denmark Hill library branch. Residents in the SE5 8 and SE5 9 postcode areas would encounter the first visible changes during scheduled road closures in spring 2027, while library users could see extended opening hours from July 2027 onward if the funds materialise as projected.
Policy analysts note that the levy applies only to qualifying planning permissions granted after April 2027, so existing properties and small-scale extensions remain unaffected. Local advocates note that the measure excludes social housing schemes and developments under 10 units, limiting its reach to larger sites near Loughborough Junction.
Key Dates for Residents
The legislation states that polling stations will operate from 7am to 10pm on 12 November, with results declared the following day. The government says the policy will generate an estimated £850,000 in the first full year of operation, according to figures published in the council's 2026 infrastructure funding statement. Collection of the levy would begin with the first payments tied to permissions issued after 1 April 2027, with project spending scheduled to start in the subsequent quarter.
Voters will receive a single yes-or-no question on the ballot paper, and the measure requires a simple majority to pass. If approved, the council must publish an annual report on levy receipts and expenditures by September each year, beginning in 2028.