Over £1 million in Community Infrastructure Levy Funding to Boost Local Facilities, Active Travel and Cultural Projects Across the District
A major investment programme that will see more than £1 million of funding directed into Winchester district communities has been approved by Winchester City Council’s cabinet.
The funding, raised through the Community Infrastructure Levy, has been allocated to projects that strengthen local facilities, enhance active travel routes and support the district’s cultural, environmental and community infrastructure.
The Levy is raised from local developments in the district, and reinvested to benefit residents, improve wellbeing and ensure communities continue to thrive as the district grows.
This latest round of CIL allocations will support 14 community-led projects across the district, delivering upgrades to cultural venues, community centres, sports and recreation facilities, and heritage assets.
Among the organisations to be allocated funding was the Carroll Centre in Stanmore, which is receiving £102,251 for a programme of significant upgrades to the building’s kitchen and toilets.
Speaking about the funding, Carroll Centre General Manager Timea Cheeseman said:
“We’re incredibly grateful for this grant. This investment is more than just a refurbishment—it’s a renewed commitment to our community. Improving our kitchen and bathroom facilities will enable us to strengthen our social enterprise café and provide a brighter, safer and more accessible space for Stanmore's community and everyone who walks through our doors."
Another organisation, Colden Common Parish Council, is receiving £30,000 to install a new Multi-use Games Area and renew Colden Common skate park to enable it to accommodate younger children.
Chair of Colden Common Parish Council Maggie Smith said:
“We are delighted to have been awarded £30,000 in Community Infrastructure Funding from Winchester City Council, which will help deliver a new skatepark and multi-use games area for the benefit of our community.
“This site is adjacent to the school, community centre, and shop and is therefore the most heavily used facility by our young people in the village. The new improved facilities will be open by the Summer.”
Cabinet Member for Place and the Local Plan Cllr Jackie Porter said:
“The Community Infrastructure Levy is a powerful tool for reinvesting in the places our residents work, live and enjoy – the funding we provide helps improve quality of life for local people and really celebrates the local identity of our communities, both larger and smaller.
The projects we’re investing in with this latest round of funding will make a real difference, whether that’s creating safer travel routes, helping the district reach our climate goals faster, or giving our residents greater access to improved local facilities.”
Among the active travel schemes to be allocated funding were two Hampshire County Council-led projects - an upgraded footpath/cycleway linking Swanmore and Bishops Waltham (£300,000), and improved riverside paths connecting Kings Worthy, Headbourne Worthy and Winchester (£59,695).
These improvements, which form part of the joint Winchester Movement Strategy, aim to reduce car dependency and create healthier, safer travel routes, whilst cutting carbon emissions and contributing to the district’s ambition to be carbon neutral by 2030.
Other projects include new heating, accessibility improvements, allotment provision and more across Colden Common, Kings Worthy, Durley, Boarhunt and Winchester.