Community projects share £1m handout of New Forest developers’ contributions via NFDC

COMMUNITY projects across the Forest have shared a £1 million handout of developers’ cash from the district council.

From a new bus shelter to a self-build men’s shed, allotments to art studios, Changing Place facilities to a school’s artificial grass sports pitch, the 26 grants paid out range from just a few thousand up to £175,000 for the NHS Ashurst Child and Family Centre.

The funding comes from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) paid by developers and applied to new homes built across the district. Town and parish councils receive either 15% or 25% of CIL collected in their area – depending on whether they have a Neighbourhood Plan – for them to decide spending.

NFDC whittled down 61 bids totalling over £4m to select its appropriate beneficiaries across the district.

Cllr Derek Tipp, portfolio holder for planning and economy, said: “This funding is vital for so many excellent community projects to go ahead. There was such a range of organisations across the New Forest who applied, and this support will give each of them a boost.”

Successful bids included:

• £175,000 for NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board for Ashurst Child and Family Centre
• £142,250 for enhanced cultural facility at Coda Music Centre, Walkford;
• £125,000 for Hampshire County Council’s work on Breamore disused rail line, Burgates;
• £100,000 for FIFA compliant artificial grass pitch at Testwood School;
• £100,000 for enhanced recreational facilities at Hampshire County Council’s Lepe Country Park;
• £80,000 to Paultons Cricket Club for pavilion rebuild and net refurbishment;
• £63,655 to Fawley Parish Council for Changing Places at Gang Warily recreation centre and £28,346 for new allotments at Gang Warily;
• £32,345 to Avon Valley Shed for men’s shed group at Fordingbridge
• £30,000 to Fordingbridge Parish Council for recreation ground circular pathway
• £27,500 to Hordle Explorers Nursery NEST Nursery Outdoor Learning Environment at Hordle Primary School;
• £25,000 to Lyndhurst Parish Council for play equipment, fencing and compost toilet at Coles Mead Recreation
• £20,000 to New Milton Town Council for Ballard Lake enhancements.

Gary Knight, chair of the Avon Valley Shed group, said: “The grant will be instrumental in the self-build of our new meeting place in Fordingbridge. This facility will help to build community, friendship, and support for those who need it most.”