Winchester community projects get £1.5m boost

Previous funding included new playground facilities at Wickham Recreation Ground

Further improvements are to be made to community services in Winchester after £1.5m of funding was agreed.

Winchester City Council said 13 community projects would receive between £10,000 and £50,000 each.

It said the focus was on health and fitness, accessible play for children and to support a greener district.

Councillor Jackie Porter said: "Ensuring that local communities benefit from development in their area is at the heart of the project."

The money has been raised through the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL).

This is how some of the funding has been allocated:

• £15,000 towards inclusive play equipment at Memorial Park in Compton

• £12,100 to upgrade the Swanmore Allotment facilities, including new drainage, a composting toilet and fencing

• £50,000 towards St Barnabas Church to go towards a community building

• £40,000 to support new energy efficiency measures at Jubilee Hall in Bishops Waltham

• £18,674 for low-energy lighting at Winchester Rugby Club

The council has already allocated funding to the following larger projects:

• £217,000 towards consulting rooms at Bishops Waltham Doctor's Surgery

• £200,000 to redevelop Waterlooville Leisure Centre

• £60,000 to upgrade Meadowside Leisure Centre in Whiteley

• Up to £410,000 towards the refurbishment of public toilets across the town and district

Previous funding has also improved footpaths in Colden Common, according to the council

Ms Porter said: "Ensuring that local communities benefit from development in their area is at the heart of the community infrastructure levy funding. We're really pleased with the applications we've received this year, which show the breadth of initiatives that the Levy can find.

"We're particularly pleased that it is also widely spread across the district too."

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