Funding from new homes will help enhance community facilities in Midhurst

The projects are among 30 which have received a share of more than £250,000 through the Chichester District Council’s New Homes Bonus (Parish Allocations) Scheme, which is open to all communities that have taken new homes.

The Grants and Concessions Panel reviewed the applications and distributed the money to projects that demonstrated the impacts of development, aim to enhance the local area, and benefit the community.

Loxwood Parish Council received £2,880 towards a squash court renovation project, while Wisborough Green received £2,338 towards a speed monitoring project in the community.

Midhurst received £4,900 for a cemetery renovation project. The town council clerk said the grant would be used to replace the fence along the track and erect a gate at the car park of Carron Lane Cemetery.

It will also fund repairs to the gravel road through the cemetery and tree and vegetation work.

A working party at the council is looking at further improvements to the cemetery, which is very large and very old, as part of a long term project, the clerk confirmed.

Councillor Roy Briscoe, cabinet member for community services and culture, said: “It’s fantastic that we’ve once again received lots of applications for a variety of different local projects which will benefit residents across the district.

“The Government recognises that more housing can result in extra pressures so it has passed this funding to local councils to help communities enhance local facilities for new and existing residents. The aim of this scheme is to improve and enhance the quality of life for communities.

“It is especially important this year, as we plan our recovery from coronavirus, that we put community recovery at the heart of the council’s agenda.”

The council had also put aside a further £250,000 for a Community Recovery Grants fund, which will support established voluntary groups which have either been financially impacted by Covid-19 and need to maintain levels of service of increased demand, or which require funding for innovative projects to support recovery in the community.

Mr Briscoe said: “This will help to provide another route of support for our community groups who have been so crucial to supporting the areas they serve during this crisis.

“On behalf of the council I’d like to thank them for their commitment and dedication.”

To apply, visit www.chichester.gov.uk/covidrecoverygrants