Over £1 million handed out to New Forest community projects
The District Council's supporting 26 schemes
More than £1 million has been given out to 26 local improvement projects by New Forest District Council.
The authority's approved grants from their Community Infrastructure Levy.
That's paid into by housing developers across the area, towards local schemes to benefit people living there.
The Avon Valley Shed, a Men's Shed community group in Fordingbridge, has been given £32,000 from the fund.
Gary Knight, Chairman of the Avon Valley Shed, said:
“The grant will be instrumental in the self-build of our new meeting place in Fordingbridge. This facility will help to build community, friendship, and support for those who need it most. This funding will help us to combat loneliness, particularly among men, in Fordingbridge and its surrounding areas.”
There's also support for projects including:
- Improvements to the Avon Valley Footpath in Fordingbridge - totalling £22,100
- Speed limit reminders around Hale village, costing £2,400
- Traffic calming measures for the road entrances to Martin, which get £2,275
- £30,000 will go towards a circular pathway around Fordingbridge Recreation Ground
- A bus shelter refurbishment in Woodgreen, costing £8,000
- £125,000 for the first phase of a project at Burgate to improve access to the disused railway line
- Western Downland Primary School in Damerham gets £14,000 for a community garden
Cllr Derek Tipp, portfolio holder for planning and economy, said:
“This funding is vital for so many excellent community projects to go ahead. There was such a range of organisations across the New Forest who applied, and this support will give each of them a boost.”