15/10/2020 - Permalink

Shropshire communities benefitting from £18 million developer money

Related topics: Community / Partner organisations / Planning

Communities across Shropshire are benefitting to the tune of £18 million thanks to a charge put on new developments in the county.

Extension of school classrooms, a new drainage scheme, a new roundabout, a games area and a sports pavilion are amongst the projects to have benefited from Community Infrastructure Levy payments.

Shropshire Council has spent £2.3 million up to 31 March 2020 on projects through the fund, with a further £15.7m allocated for future schemes. Another £18 million is in the pot to be spent in the future.

The Community Infrastructure Levy is a charge which can be levied by councils on new development in their area. It is an important tool for councils to use to help them deliver the infrastructure needed to support development in their area.

Gwilym Butler, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for communities, place planning and regulatory services, said:

“It is absolutely marvellous that we have supported 25 projects so far with CIL money, with many more millions of pounds allocated.

“It is important that with development comes funding, to help us look at and improve the infrastructure that goes with it; and we have some fantastic examples across the county of this money going to the right places, with more to be allocated in future.”

Projects completed to date utilising CIL Local funding include:

  • Classroom extensions at Baschurch and Shifnal Primary Schools
  • Place planning at Market Drayton Infants and Junior Schools
  • Installation of a new drainage scheme at Birchmeadow Park, Broseley
  • New roundabout as part of the provision for 50 new homes in Shawbury
  • Construction of a Multi-Use Games Area at Dorrington
  • Replacement sports pavilion at Russell’s Meadow, Church Stretton.

Gwilym Butler added:

“We have appointed a CIL officer who has oversight of CIL, projects, EOIs and technical checks to ensure that the process works as efficiently and smoothly as possible.

“This funding is really important and we are delighted to be able to divert it into helping communities across Shropshire.”

In June 2020 Shropshire Council’s Cabinet also agreed to award more than £8m to two projects – £5.95m to help increase primary school provision in Shrewsbury, and £2.2m to help unlock housing and development land close to Mile End Roundabout in Oswestry. Both projects are within the Shrewsbury and Oswestry Place Plans.