More than £4.4 million is available for infrastructure projects that support East Hampshire residents.
And from today (Monday 6 February) groups and organisations can apply for the money to deliver infrastructure projects in their community.
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).
These contributions are collected by EHDC and made available for schemes that will boost areas affected by development.
The money can go to large health, education and transport schemes or to smaller, local infrastructure projects run by community groups and parish councils.
Groups and organisations can bid for money from this fund until Friday 24 March. Bids must comply with strict criteria laid out as part of the application process.
Guidance and application forms are available here
Cllr Angela Glass, EHDC Portfolio Holder for Regulation and Enforcement, said: “This is a significant sum of money and it is available for places where there has been housing development to deliver new infrastructure to support residents in East Hampshire.
“Large scale projects such as schools or surgeries are led by the appropriate authorities, but smaller enhancements at the local level can also be delivered using this money, such as improvements to a village hall, or a play park.
“We know that housing developments create pressure on existing infrastructure, that’s why the planning process requires developers to make these financial contributions.
“If your community has seen development and you can deliver a project that could alleviate pressures on infrastructure, then consider bidding for money from the Community Infrastructure Levy.”
Last year more than £2 million was allocated to around 15 projects across the district.
The schemes varied from NHS-led upgrades to doctors’ surgeries to new bike tracks and sports facilities.