CIL is ‘game-changer’ as fund tops £5 million

Cabinet councillors have given the green light to a wide range of bids for Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding that will see £1.2 million allocated to projects in the Lewes district.

CIL is a charge local authorities can make on new developments to raise funds for the improvement of roads, sports, school and medical facilities, open spaces and flood defences.

Over £5 million has been collected since the scheme came into force in December 2015. The money is shared between county, district and community initiatives.

In this round of district funding allocations, £20,000 will go towards the resurfacing of tennis courts at the Salts Recreation Ground in Seaford, alongside new flood lighting and fencing and £56,000 will help deliver resurfacing on the tennis courts and ball court in Newhaven Fort Recreation Ground, and ramped access to the venue.

A further £13,280 will establish an electricity supply to the Denton Island Band Stand in Newhaven and nearly £3,000 will part-fund three water refill stations on Seaford seafront to reduce the use of single use plastics.

Councillor Emily O’Brien, Cabinet Member for Planning, said:

“CIL funding is a proving a real game-changer in our local communities, with health, wellbeing and social benefits being generated.

“The improved sports facilities in this round of funding is great news and I’m particularly pleased to see the major funding being committed to the cycle route from Newhaven to Piddinghoe.”

Some £250,000 from the combined county and community pots will part fund the construction of 1.5km of cycle way alongside the River Ouse, known as the Egrets Way Project.

The Seahaven Academy will receive £400,000 from the county allocation to support expansion of the school and £300,000 has been agreed for improvements to the Newhaven ring road.

Councillor O’Brien added:

“Included among the other community projects we’ve supported, £3,000 is going towards the refurbishment of the school library in Newick. The funding will help create a resource hub that local residents can also use.”

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