Pre-school places, playgrounds and village facilities receive funding boost
Pre-school provision, playgrounds, footpaths to connect villages and village hall improvements are amongst the successful bids to receive Community Infrastructure Levy funding, following agreement by cabinet members at Babergh District Council this week.
In this latest allocation, more than £365k was awarded to six community projects across Babergh – including the creation of additional pre-school facilities in Hadleigh, upgrading a play area in Sproughton, footpaths connecting Lavenham and Freston with surrounding villages, and upgrades to Little Cornard Village Hall. A further £123k contribution towards a new recycling centre in Ipswich was also agreed to help meet demand from residents either side of the district/borough border.
The Community Infrastructure Levy is paid by housing developers to the council, and the funding is then earmarked to support projects that support local infrastructure keep pace with housing growth.
More than £5 million has now been allocated to cover the eligible costs of more than 80 infrastructure projects across Babergh since May 2018.
The latest successful bids, agreed by Babergh’s cabinet members at their meeting on Tuesday, include an award of £174k to Hadleigh Parkside pre-school facility so more places can be offered for babies and young children; £87.5k to upgrade the play facilities on Church Lane in Sproughton; £65.5k for the Green Willows footpath connecting Lavenham and Harwood and a further £3.7k for the Boardwalk footpath at Holbrook; £25.4k to upgrade Little Cornard Village Hall and almost £10k for an improved eco lighting system at Acton Village Hall.
“The Community Infrastructure Levy helps us to support our communities and meet increasing needs for local facilities as a result of housing growth. Behind the scenes we work with our public sector partners and local service providers on services such as education, health and waste. We also work with towns and parishes to support a wide variety of bids and fund a range of forward-thinking projects to help meet local need and ensure communities remain resilient. This leaves a welcome legacy for years to come.”
List of awards
Hadleigh Parkside Pre School, Hadleigh - £174,144
The Hadleigh Parkside Pre School Facility project include the creation of an additional baby room which will allow for an additional 20 preschool spaces, from 3 months.
Cllr Jane Carruthers, Hadleigh ward councillor, said: “I’m very pleased to hear that Hadleigh Parkside Pre-school are receiving CIL money to improve their facilities which will enable them to offer more places for babies and young children. As the population of Hadleigh grows it is so important to make sure that there is adequate, good quality childcare available for working families.”
Cllr Kathryn Grandon, Hadleigh ward councillor, said: “Having visited Hadleigh Parkside Pre School a number of times, I have always been impressed with the team’s professionalism and enthusiasm. The new facilities to enable additional pre-school places and the new baby room will enable more parents to access baby and child care which is much needed in Hadleigh. I look forward to seeing the new facilities when they open. It is pleasing to see CIL funds being used for a project that will provide benefits to young working families in the community.”
Upgrading Church Lane play area, Sproughton - £87,502.55
A Sproughton Parish Council project to upgrade the play facilities on the Church Lane Play area. The updated equipment will provide an inclusive and accessible play area for local children and visitors.
Cllr Helen Davies Sproughton ward councillor said: “I am pleased to have assisted Sproughton Parish Council in their successful application for CIL; they are delighted to be awarded funding to proceed with the development of the new play area, which will significantly enhance the community's recreational spaces and provide a safe, engaging environment for children and families.”
Construction of permanent Green Willows footpath between Lavenham to Harwood - £65,550.76
The establishment of a permanent hard surface footway between Green Willows and Harwood (approximately 35 metres), supporting the Council’s aim for sustainable travel and allowing safe connectivity in the village.
Cllr Paul Clover, Lavenham ward councillor, said: “I fully support and endorse the CIL award for Green Willows as it will allow residents of this outlying area of Lavenham to finally be able to access the village centre safely by foot and therefore connecting them to the rest of the community.”
Cllr Margaret Maybury, Lavenham ward councillor, said: “Although this new walkway is not unique within Babergh, it is a vital consolidating link for Green Willows, Lavenham, allowing residents here to be safely connected to the rest of the village enabling a safe pedestrian access through to the core of village life, its shops and facilities.”
Little Cornard Village Hall upgrade – £25,428
The Little Cornard Village Hall upgrade is set to create a welcoming and accessible environment for all village hall users. The improvement will upgrade the current facilities and blend with the traditional character of the building ensuring the village hall continues to be a focal point for residents.
Acton playing field and Village Hall eco lighting project - £9,990
Acton Village Hall eco lighting project will replace the existing florescent lighting system, creating a better lighting environment and experience for all users with the introduction of a new LED lighting system with motion sensors and timers.
Construction of a permanent footpath 023 Boardwalk, Holbrook - £3,745
The Boardwalk footpath is a well-used footpath, leading walkers through the wildlife site of Holbrook Gardens, joining a network of footpaths which connects Holbrook to Freston. The new permanent footpath will create new footpaths and cycle paths in the village with routes into Ipswich and adjacent villages and communities.
Recycling Centre Phase 2 Redevelopment of Site, Ipswich - £123,266
This contributes to Suffolk County Council’s £6.5m project to construct a new recycling centre to replace the current site in Portman’s Walk, Ipswich. This recycling centre will be for benefit those residents who live in Babergh close to Ipswich.
