Funding for community infrastructure that benefits young people

Cornish community groups can apply for funding from Cornwall Council to support infrastructure projects that benefit children and young people.

The Council has this week launched the second Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) fund, which allows community groups, parish and town councils, and not for profit organisations to bid for between £20,000 and £100,000.

A total of £500,000 is available to support local infrastructure projects which focus on supporting children and young people and help to either alleviate the impact of development on an area or help development to come forward.

CIL payments are set aside by the Council to be spent on infrastructure projects that will benefit communities and support development. Between 15 and 25% of the levy goes to the town or parish council where the development is.

Olly Monk, Cornwall Council Portfolio Holder for Housing and Planning, has said: ‘The Community Infrastructure Levy allows us to raise funds from new developments and pass this on to community projects making a real difference.

‘This second round puts the focus on projects to support children and young people – We already know there is significant interest in this fund, and I look forward to seeing the innovative ways in which communities plan to put this money to good use.’

The first round of funding, which was held in 2020, saw £623,000 awarded to 14 local infrastructure projects in Cornwall that helped communities cut their carbon footprints.  

These included improved access routes at Newquay Community Orchard, an installation of solar panels at Stihians Community Centre and the creation of an electric car club in Bude.

This year, the Council is asking applicants to submit an expression of interest with a brief summary of the aims and objectives of their project.

The initial expression of interest stage will run for 12 weeks, after which eligible projects will invited to submit a full application.

Applications must be submitted by the end of October, with successful projects expected to be announced in early 2023.

Photo by Annie Spratt