More than £2 million raised through new housing developments has been earmarked for new facilities around the district - with more than £1 million allocated for Alton.
Upgraded GP surgeries, sports pitches, bike tracks and train station improvements are among the works being funded.
As part of the planning process, house builders must make financial contributions towards upgrading and improving the local infrastructure, through a mechanism called the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL).
On Thursday 28 July East Hampshire District Council agreed to allocate £2,052,238.36 of its CIL money to 15 local projects, ranging from health services to sports facilities and recreation.
This is in addition to a further £2 million allocated last year for projects in Four Marks and Liphook.
Cllr Angela Glass, EHDC Portfolio Holder for Planning, said: “The council is being called on to deliver more and more homes, but this is not sustainable without the infrastructure local communities need.
“We know building new homes puts additional pressure on communities, but the Community Infrastructure Levy is one of the ways we can bring through the facilities that will make a real difference to people’s lives.
“Each new development adds more money to the pot.
“It’s particularly exciting to see the enhancement of two GP surgeries in Alton increasing their capacity and improving health provision in that area.
“Overall Alton and the surrounding villages have received more than half of the CIL money issued in this tranche and there is still more funding available, so we need local organisations to come forward with their schemes.”
The council held more than £4 million in CIL funds and invited applications from organisations to receive funding towards infrastructure projects in February and March this year. In all the council received 21 applications, of which 15 have been approved.
Alton’s Mayor, Cllr Ginny Boxall, said: “As the Mayor of Alton I am keen to advocate that groups and organisations in the town access CIL funding to support their growth, responding to the increasing population resulting from local development.
“The Community Infrastructure Levy is able to fund much-needed community facilities like the pump track and to fit out the new community hub facility, which will be of great benefit to provide services for our local community, I very much welcome this infrastructure investment in Alton.”
Leanne Parmenter, Associate Director of Primary Care for North and Mid Hampshire, said: “We are delighted that the additional funding is going to help support primary care in Alton by enhancing two of our GP surgeries. We are keen to work with the local community in Alton to ensure the funds will be used in the right places and for the right services.”
The remaining funds are rolled over to next year, along with money received during the year.
Applications for CIL funding will open again in February 2023, go to: www.easthants.gov.uk/cil-spending-bid-process
The projects approved are:
Improving Alton Station Forecourt - £427,371
Equipping the new multi-use community space at Alton Community Hub - £467,278
Creating fully accessible facilities and swimming pool at Treloar School and college - £190,000
New cycle Pump/BMX Track at Anstey Park, Alton - £57,450
Conversion of Chawton Park Surgery’s waiting room into two consulting rooms - £50,000
Same Day Access to Services at The Wilson Practice, GP Surgery, Alton - £29,830.36
Beech roadside footways - £14,000
Community meeting room and parish office at existing Medstead Sports Pavilion - £150,000
Bentley Memorial Hall Upper floor refurb and enlargement - £12,500
Create a raised boardwalk that traverses a boggy pinch point of three public rights of way at Shortheath Boardwalk in Selborne - £28,198
A new Cricket Pavillion at Clanfield Cricket Club - £196,000
Extension and improvements to South Lane car park at Clanfield, supporting the new Cricket Pavillion - £86,414
Refurbishing play equipment at Five Heads Play Area, Horndean - £34,000 Community Tennis Hub, Horndean Technology College - £209,197
Woolmer Hill 3rd Generation Artificial Turf Pitch and Pavilion Extension Project - £100,000-£350,000
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