Published: Tuesday, 15th January 2019
Sevenoaks District Council has approved its second round of Community Infrastructure Levy funding, secured from house builders, to support exciting community projects across the Sevenoaks District.
Projects in Edenbridge, Fordcombe, Otford, Sevenoaks and Swanley will all be getting contributions totalling over £2 million. These projects have been carefully considered and all chosen because of strong economic, social and environmental benefits to the community and strong local support for the project. The CIL is money collected from developers and placed back into the District for the benefit of the residents.
The biggest cash injection has been allocated to Sevenoaks Town Council for Bat and Ball Community Centre; £1,200,000 for alterations and improvements to the existing community centre. The area, that is much in need of regeneration, will benefit from a modernised community centre with a front, side and link extension, cycle rack and bin store. The proposed design will be 120 square metres larger than the existing centre and will improve access to the northern side of Bat and Ball train station.
Other projects include two exciting proposals for Edenbridge. The first is funding of £600,000 to go towards an Integrated Health and Wellbeing Centre. The medical practice and services at the War Memorial Hospital will be merged into a single integrated building to provide a number of medical and community services. The second allocation of £34,000, was requested by Edenbridge Town Council to refurbish the public toilets at The Market Yard car park. The modernised toilets will have improved hygiene standards and hot water facilities.
As part of an ongoing project to improve facilities at Swanley Park, Swanley Town Council will be receiving £10,000 to install play equipment for the disabled. Due to a higher number of visitors, a new wheelchair accessible swing and roundabout is to be placed in the park along with ramp installations to provide access to the paddling pool.
The Otford Patient Participation Group have been allocated £2,500 for a ‘Health Pod’ at the Otford Medical Practice. The pod, which will be invaluable for freeing up ‘face time’ with GPs, will be able to perform basic check-ups including blood pressure, weight, pulse and glucose levels. This project is due to be completed in early 2019 and has huge local backing from the local community.
Last but by no means least, the Fordcombe Hall Trust has secured £185,000 to redevelop and repair Fordcombe Village Community Hall, as well as providing additional sports facilities. The use of the village hall has dwindled in recent years due to poor amenities so the cash injection will be a much needed boost for the village.
Sevenoaks District Council Portfolio Holder for Planning, Cllr Robert Piper, says: “The Council is dedicated to championing local communities and improving our residents’ quality of life. We are delighted to have secured funding from home builders and developers for these much needed local projects.”
To find out more information on these projects visit www.sevenoaks.gov.uk
The funding was agreed at a Cabinet meeting on Friday 10 January 2019 following recommendations from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Spending Board
The CIL Spending Board consist of 15 local councillors from across the Sevenoaks District who consider applications for funding submitted by local communities.
The funding becomes available after CIL contributions had been collected on qualifying developments by Sevenoaks District Council.
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