Five Stratford district projects benefit from just over £2m of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) allocated by the district council’s cabinet

It has been South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust’s ambition to build a three-floor extension as part of the next phase. However, due to funding constraints it is proposed that initially this will be a ground floor development with the ability to build additional floors in the future. The ground floor will focus on the delivery of diagnostic services.

Stratford Youth Collective will receive £149,000 to support the second stage redevelopment of a universal youth hub, The Ministry, in Stratford, investing in and responding to the growing need for sustained youth support and training opportunities in the town and across the district.

The Learning and Community Hub in Henley Street, Stratford, is set to receive £650,000 for the improvement, modernisation and repurposing of 22 Henley Street/43 Guild Street.

Luddington Village Hall is set to receive £93,410 for an infill single-storey extension and improvements to create a flexible additional space which can be independently hired or used to extend the capacity of the main hall.

The redevelopment of Fenny Compton Sports and Play Area will receive £130,000 to remove the current sports pavilion and replace with modern changing room, toilet, kitchenette and storage facility and upgrade the current playground equipment to make inclusive and safe for all users.

The cabinet also approved the recommendation that £8,268 previously allocated for the replacement play equipment at Wootton Wawen Primary School be unallocated, due to it receiving funding through alternative means and the money be made available for alternative projects.

Cllr George Cowcher, (Lib Dem, Wellesbourne South), the council’s economic and development portfolio holder, said: “We are delighted to be able to support projects across the district with this latest round of CIL funding. The money will help pay towards projects that improve our health, wellbeing and the environment.

“We know that new developments can add additional pressures to existing infrastructure, but CIL funding is an important tool to help our service providers meet any additional needs.

“As with any funding opportunity, demand has clearly outstripped supply and it’s just not possible to fund all the high priority projects as this would equate to a total cost of over £20m.

“It’s important to allocate available CIL receipts in a robust and transparent way and this round of funding has been based on the previous administration’s criteria and we will be reviewing the current criteria ready for next year’s allocation.

“The developer contributions ensure positive benefits come from infrastructure development happening across the district. We want growth to happen in a controlled and sustainable way and CIL is a planning policy that makes additional good outcomes come from the district’s development.”

CIL is the charge the council applies to new residential or retail developments in the district to fund improvements to local infrastructure.

Reaction from recipients

Stratford Community Diagnostic Centre. Sophie Gilkes, chief strategy officer of South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust said: “We are extremely pleased to receive this funding for our community diagnostics centre at Stratford Hospital. Our trust is committed to, and places huge emphasis on, ensuring patients receive early diagnosis and subsequent timely care. The money will play a pivotal role in enabling us to build a dedicated facility, which will support us to improve access to vital diagnostics for our local communities.”

Stratford Youth Collective. Karen Williams, CEO of Escape Arts on behalf of the collective: “We are absolutely delighted to get financial support through the CIL. It’s been a huge achievement to secure the youth hub venue and Stratford Youth Collective are working hard to bring services together and enable young people to lead new youth developments for the town.

“This will help us establish the new youth hub for the town, supporting local children, young people and their families. The funding will enable us to partition the new hub, enabling us to deliver a range of new services and will help provide essential cooking equipment and a new safe outdoor space to further develop skills, workshops and wellbeing activities. Thank you to SDC for supporting essential services for young people and investing in the future of the town.”

Stratford Learning and Community Hub. Tim Cooke, CEO of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, said: “The Trust is committed to developing its presence and offering in Henley Street in ways which offer a great visitor experience, enable memorable learning events, and foster a strong sense of community and local participation.

“This grant is a really important step in supporting our vision to transform a key building into a thriving learning and community hub which will be a huge asset to life in our town. It’s thrilling to be working with Stratford District Council and other partners on this shared vision.”

Luddington Village Hall. Karen Haines-Lea and Kerry Radden, co-chairs of Luddington Village Hall said: “We are very grateful for this significant investment in Luddington Village Hall. The Hall is well-used by the Stratford community for social and educational activities, supported by committed volunteers. It provides vital support to those who may otherwise be isolated and brings the community together to enhance wellbeing. The creation of additional space will allow more people to use the hall as well as reducing its environmental impact through sustainability initiatives and improving accessibility.”

Fenny Compton Sports and Play Area redevelopment. Cllr Sam Parkes, vice-chair of Fenny Compton Parish Council said: “It is really exciting that our successful bid will enable us to upgrade our sports field area, this has been something that our villagers have wanted for a long time and now with the help of Stratford District Council we can begin this process.”