More than £2.5m to boost South Downs National Park projects

The investment comes from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), which is paid by developers to support new local infrastructure, with the South Downs National Park authority playing an administrative role.

As well as the £2.5m, 37 parish councils across the national park will be taking a share of just over £550,000 to support grassroots projects in their area.

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In Hampshire, a series of projects will benefit from funding, including access improvements at St Catherine’s Hill near Winchester and a £100,000 refurbishment, including sustainability improvements, to East Meon Village Hall.

Kelly Porter, major projects lead, said: “As 2023 draws to a close, we’re pleased to announce our highest-ever amount of CIL funding to help local communities across the region.

“Having access to green spaces and first-class facilities is vital for the wellbeing of local communities, both inside and outside the National Park. So many of these initiatives will help connect people of all ages with the countryside and it’s wonderful to be able to make that difference.

“This significant CIL funding underlines the value of good planning and shows the benefits that flow from high-quality development in a protected landscape such as the South Downs.”

St Catherine's Hill (Image: South Downs National Park)

Hampshire projects receiving funding:

St Catherine’s Hill, Winchester – replacement steps to southern slope and reducing recreational pressures to Site of Special Scientific Interest. £114,650;

Allan King Way / Nuns Walk, Winchester – footpath improvements. £8,000;

Twyford Community Centre – refurbishment including sustainability improvements. £20,000;

The Ford and Berry Lane, Twyford – footpath improvements £15,000;

East Meon Village Hall – refurbishment (including sustainability improvements) £100,000;

East Meon Byway 46 – byway improvement works including surfacing and drainage. £25,000;

East Meon – improvements to multi-use games area. £7,500;

Newman Collard Playing Fields, Liss – drainage improvements works. £78,000;

A32 Farringdon, Chawton – flood alleviation scheme. £70,000;

Queen Elizabeth Country Park, near Clanfield – improvements to South Downs Way, increasing access for all. £60,000;

Queen Elizabeth Country Park, near Clanfield – restoration of Butser Dew Pond £20,000;

Churcher’s College / Penns Place, Petersfield –  430m permissive path linking south side of Penns Place to River Rother footpath. £50,000;

Hampshire-wide – Hampshire County Council’s Parish Pollinators Project increasing diversity in hedgerows and other planting. £50,000;

Petersfield Open Air Swimming Pool – toilet refurbishment. £50,000;

Petersfield Rugby Club – green energy initiative (renewable energy to reduce increasing energy costs) £40,000;

Liss Forest Recreation Ground – improvements including replacement play area, drainage; improvements and expansion of basketball area. £40,000

Butser Ancient Farm, Chalton – accessibility improvements. £20,000;

Mingledown Woods, Chawton – access and ecological improvements including tree planting. £20,000;

Petersfield Central Car Park, Park Road –  installation of Changing Places Toilet. £15,000;

Stroud – replacement bus shelter. £10,000;

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The South Downs National Park Authority will open the call for projects for the 2023/24 round of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding on New Year’s Day. The authority is accepting expressions of interest until April 12.

CIL funding is designed to be spent on infrastructure to support growth within the park. The South Downs’ priorities over the next three years are nature recovery, climate action and ‘A National Park for All’.

For more information, guidelines and application forms go to southdowns.gov.uk/community-infrastructure-levy/revision-of-spending-cil/applying-for-cil-funds-for-an-infrastructure-project/