£96k funding available for new neighbourhood projects in Cheltenham

Not for profit organisations across non-parished areas of Cheltenham are eligible to apply for a share of the £96,972 funding which is available to support physical improvements to the local area in neighbourhoods.

The funds have been collected from new developments as part of the normal planning process and are intended to support community projects that have a social, environmental or economic objective in areas where development has taken place to address the demands that development places on a local area. In areas with a parish council, these funds are passed directly to the parish council, but for areas without a parish council, the borough council holds and distributes the funds. 

Applications must be made by Monday 19 May 2025 and the application guidelines and application form can be found on the council’s website.

Councillor Mike Collins, cabinet member for planning and building control said: “The Neighbourhood Fund is a great opportunity for community groups. I hope the money will make a real difference to local neighbourhoods. We are looking for exciting idea for projects from our neighbourhoods that can make a real difference.”

To be eligible for the fund, projects must have an economic, social or environmental objective and delivery publicly accessible physical improvements and address the demands that development places on an area, including contributing to carbon net zero. Examples include projects that:

• Improve the safety of residents and/or businesses
• Improve community facilities and enable social activities for young people and communities to connect
• Improve sport and physical activity facilities
• Improve the public realm, including cultural and creative projects
• Improve transport and access such as signage, lighting, pedestrian safety, and facilities for both electric vehicles and cyclists
• Improve green spaces including access, landscaping, biodiversity and play areas
• Create the links to the wider environment and sustainability agenda and that help Cheltenham meets its carbon zero target.

Councillor Paul Baker, chair of the Neighbourhood CIL Panel said; “We are delighted to open this fund for the second time. In 2023 Neighbourhood CIL was used to fund 16 community projects, including a lighting scheme at Sandford Park; play area improvements at Fiddlers Green and Rowena Cade Avenue; public art through Cheltenham Paint Festival; Creative Youth Space at Springbank Community Resource Centre; a safe crossing outside Bournside School; purchase of nine new defibrillators around the town; a new perimeter path at King George V playing field and a honey project on the Honeybourne Line.”

Applications to the fund will be assessed using published criteria and to be considered, applicants will need to show there is community support for the project, including support from at least one ward councillor.

An informal briefing and Q & A session will be held online the week commencing 7 April. To register your interest please email [email protected].

Notes:

For media enquiries contact [email protected]  01242 264 231

The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is a charge, which local authorities can place on developers to help fund infrastructure needed to support new development in their areas.

The 9 wards that are entirely non-parished and eligible are as follows:

All Saints; Benhall and the Reddings; College; Hesters Way; Lansdown; St Marks; St Pauls; St Peters; Springbank

The 7 wards that are partly non-parished and eligible are as follows:

Battledown; Charlton Park; Oakley; Park; Pittville; Swindon Village; Warden Hill