Residents celebrate official reopening of playing field after revamp
Residents in Swanmore celebrated the official reopening of New Road Playing Field.
The field has undergone a major £400,000 transformation and now boasts a new 100m running track, a 500m jogging circuit, plus a skate park, car park extension and toilets.
The revamp was part funded by Winchester City Council, using £185,000 of local Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), which is money received from local developers as part of planning permissions.
The project was developed following extensive consultation with residents and local groups by Swanmore Parish Council.
Cllr Jackie Porter, Cabinet Member for Built Environment and Wellbeing, said:
“I am delighted to see CIL money being used effectively to improve the lives of residents in the district.
“These improvements are going to make a real difference for the communities in Swanmore, Bishop’s Waltham and Wickham and will help a growing number of people take part in an active lifestyle.”
In September, last year the council decided to make £1 million of CIL money available for community-based projects over a three-year period.
The scheme has received a good response, with 16 parish councils and other organisations submitting proposals. Final decisions regarding the allocation of funds to these projects will be taken by Cabinet in the autumn.
To find out more about CIL visit www.winchester.gov.uk/planning/community-infrastructure-levy-cil