Allocation of £4.5m to improve projects
2 October 2024
We have allocated £4.5m of funding towards projects across the district.
The funding, from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), will help deliver key projects around the district. The projects, approved by Cabinet, will help deliver town centre improvements, develop recreation grounds, walking routes, and support flood defence work.
CIL is paid and collected directly by developers as part of the planning process when new homes are granted permission across the district.
Cllr Derek Tipp, portfolio holder for planning and economy, said:
"Supporting these key projects aligns with the vision of our new corporate plan; to secure a better future by supporting opportunities for the people and communities we serve, protecting our unique and special place and securing a vibrant and prosperous New Forest."
"We're dedicated to shaping our place, empowering our residents to live healthy, connected and fulfilling lives, and to supporting our high-quality business base and economic centres to thrive and grow."
"As of 1 April 2024, we have issued CIL invoices totalling just over £9m. A further £10m to £14m is forecast to be received from developers over the next 5 years, depending on the rate of development. We look forward to investing on much needed infrastructure across the district."
"The projects have been identified after reviewing long term ideas, community partnership work, housing growth as identified in the Local Plan, opportunities in neighbourhood plans, and links to recreational mitigation projects."
"We are also committed to taking a leading role in developing the creative and cultural industries in the New Forest. An initial £150,000 of CIL funding has been set aside to develop culture in the New Forest, and 2% of future CIL receipts will be allocated to this fund for the life of the current Corporate Plan."
"Another £1m has been set aside for local smaller scale projects, similar to the process run in October 2023. The funding will be open to anyone who can deliver a project to support the local community across the district and bidding will likely begin in October 2024."
Residents can read more on our website about projects who benefitted from CIL funding in 2024.
The papers from the Cabinet meeting can be read on our website.
More information:
CIL is collected to mitigate the impacts of new development on the area through the provision of new infrastucture.
New developments need to be supported by physical, social, and green infrastructure. Developer contributions are collected to make new developments acceptable in planning terms, providing mitigation that serves to minimises the impacts on the local community and infrastructure. CIL provides a funding stream for this infrastructure.
CIL can be used to fund a wide range of infrastructure, including transport, flood defences, schools, hospitals, and other health and social care facilities. This definition allows the levy to be used to fund a broad range of facilities.
By identifying an initial release of £4.5m towards the strategic element of CIL projects, we will retain money to review further opportunities and potential funding as part of the Solent Freeport Business Plan and to react should new priorities emerge.
Further funding includes £1 million to continue to be allocated each year until the end of the current Corporate Plan (2024-2028) for recreation mitigation and local infrastructure projects.
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