This is how Reading council is spending £4.5 million of developer contributions.
Each year, landowners submit hundreds of applications for developments in Reading, several of which are approved.
When a development is approved, local authorities will charge Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), which is then reinvested into the community.
Fifteen per cent of CIL paid for by developers must go to the ward a new development is located in.
READ MORE: Clash in Reading over affordable homes at 618 flat Minster Quarter project
This funding is spent on park and community centre improvements, traffic calming measures and more.
Money is also being invested in maintaining the Maiwand Lion in Forbury Gardens and repairing the ‘Cartwheeling Boys’ statues damaged by Storm Eunice this February.
Recently, the council has revealed progress on projects that received CIL funding in November 2018.
The biggest project that received funding was the improvements to Longbarn Recreation Ground in Whitley, which got £155,000 in CIL.
The project involved building an outdoor gym and refurbishing the existing BMX track.
See the 10 projects which received the most CIL funding below:
Longbarn Recreation Ground improvements – £155,000
High Street Heritage Action Zone – £150,000
Redlands enforcement of 20mph zone – £100,000
Ivydene play area improvements – £100,000
Avon Place play area improvements – £100,000
Cintra Park play area improvements – £95,000
Prospect Park improvements – £88,000
Coley Recreation Park outdoor gym – £65,000
Broad Street refurbishment of seating areas – £55,000
Zebra crossings in Gosbrook Road and at Ridgeway School – £50,000 each
Micky Leng (Labour, Whitley) lead councillor for planning, commented: “Reading remains an extremely attractive proposition for developers, but it is essential that residents across the town get something back for the developments which take place close to where they live.
“As Councillors we are often asked what is in it for local communities and this long list of neighbourhood benefits being delivered by the Council as part of the CIL process spells that out.
“They range from major play area improvements, road safety schemes, a Reading-wide graffiti clean initiative and public art refurbishments, as well as much smaller schemes, which may not cost a great deal but are massively valuable to the communities which benefit from them.
“The Council is always keen to hear from the public about local projects which could be of benefit, and I would urge people to contact their local Councillors with suggestions so these can be considered in the future against the CIL funding available.”
Cllr Leng added CIL has gone into more schemes “than there are beans in a tin of beans.”
READ MORE: Reading hunt for contractor to transport dead bodies begins
At a policy committee meeting on Monday, July 11, councillors unanimously agreed to note the projects that have received funding, and approve the reallocation of CIL.
£50,000 originally meant for Whitley Wood community centre , that funding will now go the following projects:
- £20,000 for South Whitley Park improvements, including drainage and a new basketball court
- £20,000 for Lulworth Road communal area improvements
- An additional £10,000 to Gateway area pedestrian crossings (Imperial Way and Basingstoke Road) to make a total allocation of £16,000
Furthermore, £20,000 originally meant for to reinstated sculptures,
known as Bagged and Karen, Libbie and Adam, has been re-allocated to preserving war memorials and other public art pieces.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here