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New sports and community facilities, cycle track upgrades, town centre improvements and alternative education are set to benefit from a near-£200,000 funding pot created by new development.

£195,239 has been allocated from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) to help ensure that any additional pressures created by housing growth in the district are provided for. Funding this year is:

£75,000 – New Barn project in Wotton-under-Edge which is a new build community pavilion with sports changing rooms, a function room and community café.

£75,000 – major resurfacing works to the Dudbridge to Ryeford cycle track which is a key strategic route for more sustainable non-motorised travel.

£25,000 – South Gloucestershire & Stroud College 14-16 Create Centre which offers an inclusive alternative for pupils who may not find mainstream secondary education suitable.

£20,239 – public realm design works to Berkeley town centre which will look to making improvements to how people use and enjoy the public areas in the centre of Berkeley.

Stroud District Council has been collecting Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) payments on new housing developments since April 2017. CIL funding helps to ensure that any additional pressures created by housing growth are managed sustainably.  It provides investment into important new services and facilities that will be needed and enjoyed by local residents. The resulting community benefits will be widely used and valued by local people for many years to come.

Since the council started collecting CIL, the Strategic Infrastructure budget has

received £1,849,710 (April 2017 to March 2022). Each year, SDC invites partner

organisations to bid for CIL funding to support the delivery of capital infrastructure projects. Projects are awarded funding when they support priority Planning Policies, as set out in the councils Local Plan.

Stroud District Council runs an annual funding scheme, and allocations were approved at Strategy and Resources Committee earlier this month.

“All the projects also support SDCs Council Plan priorities and strong environmental ethos, particularly by reducing the need to travel, providing alternatives to the car, creating safe and attractive environments for residents and visitors, and promoting inclusive access to education and recreation opportunities,” said Council Leader Catherine Braun.