Have your say on Odd Down Sports Ground
Residents in Bath are being asked for their views on which of sixteen local projects could benefit from a new round of community funding through the Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) fund for Bath.
The shortlisted projects include improvements to Odd Down Sports Ground by adding a nature trail.
This project is part of a wider development at Odd Down Sports Ground, aiming to
improve infrastructure and promote physical activity, wellbeing, and biodiversity. The nature trail element includes:
- Accessible perimeter trail
- Meandering gravel paths
- Tree and shrub planting
- Wildflower meadows and hedgerows
- Natural play elements
- Community orchard
- Seating and signage
- Improved access and safety features
The council has received an unprecedented number of applications for this round of CIL funding, totalling £270,000, which exceeds the total amount of CIL money available.
Votes from residents are important to help the council decide how to prioritise projects in this round and potentially place some projects on a waiting list until further CIL funding becomes available.
CIL is a planning charge payable on new building developments to be spent on projects that benefit the community. Because Bath has no parish or town councils as the North East Somerset area does, the council allocates the funds.
From the overall CIL that is collected, 15% is allocated to the Neighbourhood Portion of CIL for Bath. To date, the Neighbourhood Portion of CIL for Bath has allocated more than £2.57m to local projects.
Outside of Bath, parish and town councils directly receive and distribute 15% of the levy unless they have a Neighbourhood Plan in place, in which case they receive 25% of the levy. More than £1.98m in CIL payments have been made outside of Bath since 2015.
The consultation is open until 5pm on Friday, November 7 and can be responded to online. Anyone who needs the information in another format should email connecting_communities@bathnes.gov.uk or call 01225 396 975.