More than £2m of new funding to help local communities across South Downs National Park
December 15, 2022
New cycle tracks, better bridleways, school playground improvements and work to enhance a precious chalk stream are among the projects to benefit from a major funding boost from the South Downs National Park Authority.
Just under £2m will benefit 38 community schemes across Hampshire, West Sussex and East Sussex.
The investment comes from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), which is paid by developers to support new local infrastructure, with the Authority playing an administrative role.
As well as the £1.95m, 40 parish councils across the National Park will be taking a share of just over £550,000 to support grassroot projects in their area.
Among the inspiring projects will be those that help connect people to the countryside, including funding for the final phase of the Egrets Way, completing the ‘missing link’ between Piddinghoe and Deans Farm in East Sussex. Once completed, the 7-mile walking and cycling path will provide an easy connection through the National Park from Lewes to Newhaven.
Significant funding is also going towards the restoration of Cockshut Chalk stream, one of only 200 chalk streams in the world. The project will help create over six hectares of wetland, including restoration of the natural course of the stream, removal of invasive non-native species, tree planting and the creation of a new bank to improve public access.
In West Sussex, funding will help scores of schoolchildren at Fittleworth Primary School through changes to their playground to learn about climate change, sustainable water management (SuDs) and nature recovery while a cash injection will provide improvements at Pulborough Brooks, including more accessible trails and an upgraded visitor centre. Funding will also help install a road crossing at South Harting.
In Hampshire, funding will help support outdoor fitness equipment and a multi-use games area in Liss. Investment will upgrade the network of bridleways around Marwell Zoo – a scheme that is linked to a future project of providing an off-road route between Winchester and Marwell. In East Meon, funding will help support a range of highway improvements in the village.
Tim Slaney, Director of Planning at the South Downs National Park Authority, said: “As 2022 draws to a close, we’re pleased to announce this significant funding of over £2m to help local communities across the region.
“It’s wonderful to see such a diverse range of projects that will help people of all ages, supporting communities across the National Park, as well as people living outside who want to be able to access the South Downs and enjoy its biodiversity and beauty.
“This significant CIL funding emphasises the value of good planning and shows the benefits that flow from high-quality development in a protected landscape such as the South Downs.”
The South Downs National Park Authority has opened the call for projects for the 2022/23 round of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding. The window for submission of Expressions of Interest will be open until 31 January 2023.
CIL funding is designed to be spent on infrastructure to support growth within the National Park. The National Park’s corporate plan priorities over the next three years are Nature Recovery, Climate Action and A National Park for All and the authority welcomes potential bids that support these priorities.
For more information, guidelines and application forms please visit www.southdowns.gov.uk/community-infrastructure-levy/revision-of-spending-cil/applying-for-cil-funds-for-an-infrastructure-project/
About CIL funding
The CIL collected by the SDNPA can be used to fund a wide range of infrastructure, including transport, flood defences, schools, play areas, parks, cultural and sports facilities.
When spending CIL, it is the intention of Government that the Authority focuses on the provision of new infrastructure.
CIL will help to bridge the funding gap in delivering infrastructure but it will never resolve it. Therefore there is a need to prioritise the infrastructure projects put forward to us for consideration. This year’s funding is able to support 38 schemes across the length and breadth of the National Park. This is from over 400 applications made for funding.
Please refer to the Infrastructure Business Plan (IBP) (which encompasses the Infrastructure Funding Statement) for details on the prioritisation process of infrastructure projects and an overview of projects which have secured CIL funding.
In areas where development has taken place, Parish or Town Councils will also receive direct CIL payment known as the ‘Neighbourhood Portion’ and have the ability to use this money on projects that are a priority for them.
The Regulations allow them to spend the money on a wider range of projects than the National Park Authority can.
For further information regarding the ‘Neighbourhood Portion’ please see the Authority’s CIL Parish Guide.
The full list of projects to benefit by county
Please note while funding is provided from the Community Infrastructure Levy, the 38 schemes will primarily be delivered by partners and community groups and the CIL investment often only makes up a portion of the total cost of the project.
East Sussex
Egrets Way – Phase 7, 0.8km North Piddinghoe to Deans Farm, a shared-use path. £300,000
Regeneration of the Cockshut Chalk stream – creation of 6.8ha wetland including the restoration of the natural course of the stream, enhance flow and connectivity to the floodplain and Lewes Brooks, removal of invasive non-native species, tree planting and creation of new bank to enhance public access. £150,000
Seven Sisters Country Park – A National Park for all: Improving Accessibility – Warden accommodation to support year-round tourism, including installation of air source heat pumps and providing new facility block for Camping Barn (accessible toilet, shower and cooking facilities) £96,000
Buzz Active – Improvements to Canoe Barn at Cuckmere, including flood protection measures and improved entranceway. £43,000.
Landport Skatepark, Lewes – new cycle track and skatepark at Landport Recreation Ground. £50,000
Lewes area – surface and habitat improvements to 1074m of Ouse Valley Way to enable year round access to riverside path. £40,000
OVESCo – Get Bikery, Lewes – Ecargo bike service for Lewes. £27,000
Iford – off-road cycle way from Iford to Swanborough, including upgrade of footpath to permissive cycle path and bridleway. £26,000
Iford Bridleway – surface works to recently designated Iford Rise Farm Bridleway to enable year round shared use and adding to Ouse Valley Cycle Network. £15,000
South Malling School – replace and enhance playground equipment. £34,500
Keymer Road, Ditchling – new car park (owned and managed by Ditchling Parish Council) £10,000
Improve mound by Heart of Reeds, Lewes Railway Land Local Nature Reserve – improvements to paths and handrails, additional wildflower planting £10,000
St Thomas a Becket Church, Lewes – Make safe the 15th Century spiral staircase to Grade II* listed Church to enable public access again. £2,500
West Sussex
Fittleworth Primary School Playground improvements – project will focus on adapting to climate change, demonstrating sustainable water management (SuDs) and nature recovery as well as providing education, play and sporting opportunities. £200,000
Pulborough Brooks Takes Flight – improved visitor centre, upgrades and more accessible trails, improved volunteer facilities. £110,000
Bury C of E Primary School (South Downs Ambassador School) – Classroom extension to accommodate Year 5 and 6 pupils as they progress through the school. £100,000
Upper Beeding – Riverside walk improvements (includes 350m extension) £35,000
Steyning to Washington – a Proposed Permissive Bridleway (685m of surface improvements and installation of gates) £25,000.
South Harting – installation of Road Crossing on B2146 to South Gardens (the 14 acres of recreational space) £25,000
Petworth – Installation of solar panels at Sylvia Beaufoy Youth Centre. £20,660
Petworth Park Sports Ground – Sports and recreation equipment. £20,000
Upper Beeding – redesign and rebuild of existing facilities at Small Dole Skatepark. £10,000
Stedham Recreation Ground Improvements – replacement of old climbing frame with new rope pyramid and see-saw. £9,000
Arundel – New map and information board at Town Quay £3,000
Hampshire
Liss – Newman Collard Recreation Improvements – outdoor fitness equipment and Multi-use Games Area. £118,000
Marwell to Winchester Bridleways – upgrade network of Bridleways in and around Marwell Zoo and Hotel – up to 1.5km of surfacing and drainage works (linked to future project to deliver off-road link from Marwell to Winchester) £100,000
Greatham Village Hall Recreation Ground – creation of all-inclusive accessible playground to replace existing playground. £90,000
Buriton Village Hall Enhancements – energy efficiency improvements – potential for 12kw solar PV and provision of two fast-charge EV charging points. £50,000
Queen Elizabeth Country Park, near Clanfield – Changing Places Toilet. £40,000
Selborne – Traffic calming scheme – improve entrances to Selborne and widen footways £40,000
The Petersfield School – installation of Climbing Wall that will also be open to community groups £29,000
Access Improvements to the Watercress Way, Winchester (such as re-profiling of land, installation of hand rails and changes to existing ramps) – £20,000
Meonstoke C of E Infant School – To improve a wooded area and bark pathways within the school grounds. £18,000
East Tisted – Highway improvements including review and reduction of existing highway signs, bespoke village gateway signs and new fingerposts) £15,000
East Meon – Highway improvements including review and reduction of existing highway signs, bespoke village gateway signs and new fingerposts. £15,000
Sheet – Highway improvements including reduction of junction with Village Green, various measures on London Road – improved crossing points, and decluttering of signage. £15,000
Twyford – Flood Alleviation Scheme (to fund Phase 1 – construct 115m length ditch to replace 90m section of pipe on Hazeley Road). £8,748.26