December 11th, 2020.


LDC Cabinet councillors have given the latest round of projects funded by the Community Infrastructure Levy unanimous approval and declared them ‘an early Christmas present for communities across the district’.

The Community Infrastructure Levy, known as CIL, is a charge that local authorities can make on developments to raise funds for infrastructure projects, as a result of local development and growth. The CIL is payable upon commencement of a development and since 2015 the council has collected over £7.4 million.

Projects endorsed by the councillors include CIL contributions of £30,000 for upgrades to bridleways and footpaths into the popular Centenary Park in Peacehaven, over £290k for essential improvements to Barcombe and Seaford Fire Stations and £17,000 for an all-weather path around Beechwood Rural Park in Hamsey to provide better access for wheelchair and pushchair users.

Councillor Emily O’Brien, Cabinet Member for Planning, said: “What a great way to end a miserable year by announcing some great news for local residents and an early Christmas present for communities across the district. North to south, east to west, these projects will really make a difference and are all thanks to our CIL funding programme.”

Sporting projects feature highly in Ringmer with £61k to improve facilities for users of the football club, over £4k for a new electronic scoreboard at the cricket club and £35k will help fund a new pavilion at the bowls club.

Councillor O’Brien added: “Better sports facilities, wildflower planting, tackling social isolation and resident safety and security are all amongst the areas we’ve addressed by the many awards agreed today.

“Sadly it is never possible to support every bid received, but in most of these cases our officers have been able to provide feedback and hopefully a stronger bid will follow next time around.”