East Suffolk Council

Posted by on 8 August 2023 | Comments

Over £140,000 from a new fund has been allocated to community projects in East Suffolk.

The new Local Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Fund was created in April and applications from projects in Beccles, Blundeston, Rendlesham and Southwold have now been approved.

Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is a fee which East Suffolk Council charges developers when new development is built in the district. CIL can then be put towards improvements to local infrastructure, such as play areas, schools, transport schemes and GP surgeries.

The new ‘Local CIL’ fund is based on 3% of the district CIL received in the previous financial year. Funding of up to £50,000 is available to projects located in, or close to, an area where new development is taking place, and the project must be deliverable in the short term. Projects must also be 50% match-funded, be identified in a Neighbourhood Plan or Parish Infrastructure Investment Plan and be supported by the local East Suffolk ward member.

Local CIL requests are approved by the CIL Spending Working Group, ensuring funding can allocated to community projects more quickly. The CIL Spending Working Group has now agreed funding for four community play areas:

• Waveney Meadow Project, Beccles (£22,000) – to revitalise an existing public space, providing landscaping, quay heading, improved access to the river frontage including for wheelchair users, and replacement play equipment which allows for inclusive play. 
• Blundeston Play Park refurbishment (£25,000) – to replace and improve the play provision at the village hall play area. 
• Skate Park and Nature Walk, Rendlesham (£50,000) - to provide a new skate park and fully accessible nature walk, suitable for all users including wheelchair users, pushchairs and those with reduced mobility. The skate park would provide a facility for young people in the area to socialise and be active. 
• Klondyke Skate Park, Southwold (£50,000) – to build an updated concrete skatepark suitable for all ages and technical abilities. 

Cllr Kay Yule, East Suffolk’s cabinet member for Planning and Coastal Management said: “These are the first allocations of our Local Community Infrastructure Levy fund, and we are delighted to be able to channel contributions from new development towards smaller community projects which will positively impact on the lives of residents. 

“Developer contributions can help us to improve essential facilities and there are several major projects currently under construction in the district which have been supported through developer contributions collected and allocated by East Suffolk Council, including expansions at local schools and new leisure facilities. The new Local CIL fund allows us to distribute even more of these contributions for the benefit of local communities.”