You might think in these times of government cutbacks and reduced budgets for community spending that there are almost no funds available to help community projects. However there are funds available under the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) system. Basically, every time a planning authority gives permission for housing (excluding affordable housing) the developer has to pay a levy to the planning authority to help with funding community projects. Each planning authority administers the scheme in their area which allows individual organisations, groups and parishes to put forward schemes which, if approved, get financial backing from the CIL funding “pot.”
Within the South Downs National Park the planning authority is the National Park itself. Here is their update on CIL funding:
The South Downs National Park Authority has opened the call for projects for the 2023 round of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding. The window for submission of Expressions of Interest will be open until 3rd March 2023.
CIL funding is designed to be spent on infrastructure to support growth within the National Park. The priorities of the National Park’s corporate plan over the next three years are Nature Recovery, Climate Action and ‘A National Park for All.’ The authority welcomes potential bids that support these priorities.
For more information, guidelines and application forms please visit www.southdowns.gov.uk/community-infrastructure-levy/revision-of-spending-cil/applying-for-cil-funds-for-an-infrastructure-project/
New Bids
Submit your Expression of Interest via ‘Projects for the South Downs’: www.projects.southdowns.gov.uk.
Please register as a ‘new user’ if you have not used the system before and then log in to start a new application under the ‘Expression of Interest – CIL funding 2022-23’ round where you will be asked to complete a short form.
Previous Bids on Projects for the South Downs
Any previously submitted bids via Projects for the South Downs that were unsuccessful will have been returned to the applicant via an email from sdprojects@southdowns.gov.uk The National Park will invite you to make amendments and resubmit your bid/s for consideration.
If you are aware of other parties who may wish to bid for CIL funding, please forward this message onto them.
Any queries relating to the use of the Projects for the South Downs system or in relation to CIL should be directed to cil@southdowns.gov.uk
About CIL funding
The CIL collected by the SDNPA can be used to fund a wide range of infrastructure, including transport, flood defences, schools, play areas, parks, cultural and sports facilities.
When spending CIL, it is the intention of Government that the Authority focuses on the provision of new infrastructure.
CIL will help to bridge the funding gap in delivering infrastructure but it will never resolve it. Therefore there is a need to prioritise the infrastructure projects put forward to us for consideration. Please refer to the Infrastructure Business Plan (IBP) (which encompasses the Infrastructure Funding Statement) for details on the prioritisation process of infrastructure projects and an overview of projects which have secured CIL funding.
In areas where development has taken place, Parish or Town Councils will also receive direct CIL payment known as the ‘Neighbourhood Portion’ and have the ability to use this money on projects that are a priority for them. The regulations allow them to spend the money on a wider range of projects than the National Park Authority can. For further information regarding the ‘Neighbourhood Portion’ please see the Authority’s CIL Parish Guide.