Have your say - Fernwood Community Infrastructure Levy

Fernwood Parish Council has launched a consultation on what Community Infrastructure Levy should be used for in Fernwood.

In January, Fernwood Parish Council adopted a Community Infrastructure Levy Policy. Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is the way Newark and Sherwood District Council (N&SDC) collect financial contributions from developers to help pay for new and improved infrastructure. It is calculated on a pounds (£) per square metre basis of new development.

CIL regulations require N&SDC to pass a proportion of CIL funds raised in developments in the Fernwood Parish to Fernwood Parish Council. Due to the work carried out by the Parish Council, to ensure that Fernwood has a neighbourhood plan in place, Fernwood receives a larger proportion of CIL - 25%, uncapped.

Guidance on CIL is available at Community Infrastructure Levy at www.gov.uk . By law, CIL money must be spent on the provision, improvement, replacement, operation, or maintenance of infrastructure needed to support development.

Fernwood Parish Council has received £1,216,274 of CIL up to 31st December 2022. With thousands more houses due to be built in the parish over the next 10 years, it is projected that the Council will receive over £600,000 more of CIL from the Barratt David Wilson Homes (BDWH) and Allison Homes (AH) developments. These figures do not consider the CIL that the Parish Council will receive from the Persimmon Homes development.

What CIL has been used for

So far CIL has been used for relatively small projects such as the woodland purchase (see page 10) and all related costs, new/replacement dog bins, a coat of arms for the parish, Village Hall transfer legal costs, Village Hall improvements, Youth Club provision and Dale Crescent green – shrubbery and gym equipment replacement.

What we plan to use some of the CIL for

Further expenditure has been earmarked for the following projects:

CCTV over the Fernwood central park and on Rubys Walk (through the N&SDC CCTV partnership)

Interactive speed camera on Dale Way

Legal agreements for the land transfer/maintenance of open spaces/community facilities in new developments.

Maintenance/provisions in the new developments.

Replacement/enhancement of Fernwood central play park

Welcome to signage on the edges of the parish

Village Hall extension

Costall Woods maintenance, signage, and development of a wildlife garden behind Marron Court

Other possible uses for CIL

a. Hollowdyke Lane The Council will be considering whether to use CIL to pay for feasibility studies and research to enable the council to see whether it would be possible to keep Hollowdyke Lane open at the Balderton end. The Council will consult with residents regarding this.

b. Parking issues on Goldstraw Lane The Council could consider using CIL to pay for a study on what can be done to ease parking issues on Goldstraw Lane.

Fernwood Parish Council welcomes suggestions from residents of Fernwood - we encourage you to get in touch if you would like to make a suggestion.

Grants

Grants of up to £5,000 are available to Community Groups and other organisations to enhance their work. For the Council’s grant policy and application form – visit www.fernwood-pc.co.uk

Fernwood Parish Council is committed to using CIL for the benefit of the community. Residents are invited to feedback on the Council’s plans for use of Community Infrastructure Levy and submit any other ideas they feel would benefit the Parish of Fernwood.

Fernwood residents are invited to complete an online form

Alternatively email: [email protected] to share your thoughts or post a note in the Fernwood Village Hall post box which is at Fernwood Parish Council, Fernwood Village Hall, Rubys Avenue, Fernwood, NG24 3RS.