Wednesday, April 11 2018

Share of £250,000 open to communities across Chichester District

Communities in Chichester District that have taken new homes over the past two years are being invited to apply for money to spend on improvement projects which will make a difference to residents.

 The £250,000 funding pot is part of the New Homes (Parish Allocations) Scheme for 2018 - 2019. The amount of money available per parish depends on the number of new homes that have been occupied during the period 28 December 2014 to 2 January 2018.

 A total of 27 parishes in Chichester District have each had more than five new properties created in that period.

 Applications can only be made by parish, town or city councils, but residents are encouraged to submit ideas for projects and improvements to their local parish for consideration.

 Parish councils are invited to apply for a share of the money before Monday 30 July.

 

Money will be awarded to projects that can:

 

• ·          demonstrate the impacts of development
• ·          aim to enhance the local area and,
• ·          benefit the whole community.

 

Councillor Eileen Lintill, Cabinet Member for Community Services at Chichester District Council, says: "We have been keen to ensure that this money is protected for the benefit of those communities that have taken new development.

“This funding is an opportunity to invest in important facilities and activities that will support our local communities for years to come.

 

"The Government recognises that more housing can result in extra pressures so it has passed this funding to local councils to help communities address their concerns."

 

A wide range of projects have been funded through the scheme from new trees in Tangmere to buying a set of community strimmers in the village of Compton. In Chidham and Hambrook, just over £3,000 was allocated so the parish could make a series of improvements to Maybush Copse including wheelchair access and fencing.

 

Midhurst Town Council wanted to buy the Old Library building in the town, and successfully bid for £22,000 to help make this happen. People in Selsey wanted to refurbish the BMX track and received £6,500 while in Westbourne a project to extend the cemetery received £1,000.

 

“It doesn’t always have to be a large project to be making a difference,” adds Cllr Lintill. “Very often it is the small purchases that can make a significant improvement to residents’ quality of life, and so we are encouraging residents to have a think and contact their local parish or town council with their ideas.”

  

ENDS

 

For further information, please contact Clare Hawkin, PR Officer at Chichester District Council on 01243 534679.