Skip to content

Local projects to benefit from over £800,000 in infrastructure funding

Published
Three community projects supporting development in Cheltenham, Tewkesbury, and Gloucester, are set to receive a share of £804,251 funding, following a decision made at the Joint CIL Committee Meeting.  

The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is a charge that local authorities can set on new developments to raise funds to help fund the provision, improvement, operation and/or maintenance of infrastructure – such as public green spaces and transport improvements – needed to support new homes and businesses. This funding comes from CIL payments collected across the three council areas, between January 2019 and February 2025.   

The meeting, held at Tewkesbury Borough Council, focused on projects that would bring real improvements to these local areas, which were submitted during a funding round from November 2024 to January 2025.  

Gloucester (Podsmead) – £534,251

To support Phase 2 of the Blackbridge Community Sports Hub to deliver improvements to the grass pitches, sustainable drainage, and landscaping.  

  • £472,006 from CIL receipts received by Gloucester City Council  
  • £62,245 from CIL receipts received by Tewkesbury Borough Council  

Tewkesbury – £120,000

For feasibility work to support progress of design and costs for a new footbridge to replace the Legion Footbridge over the River Swilgate. 
Funding will be from CIL receipts received by Tewkesbury Borough Council.  

Cheltenham and Tewkesbury - £150,000

To update feasibility work for a shared waste and recycling depot for the two authorities. 
The funding will be provided equally from CIL receipts received by Cheltenham Borough Council and Tewkesbury Borough Council. 

Councillor Sarah Sawyer, Cabinet Member for Planning at Gloucester City Council, said: “The Blackbridge Community Sports Hub is a state-of-the-art facility, which will bring huge benefits to Podsmead and will open up many more opportunities, especially for young people. 

“This funding will be a huge boost to the project and is testament to how working together with our partners can bring benefits to all our local communities.”   

Councillor Richard Stanley, Leader of Tewkesbury Borough Council and Chair of the Joint CIL Committee, said: “We’re delighted to see funding being allocated to projects that will go towards making a real difference in our communities. These investments reflect a strong commitment to local infrastructure and long-term community wellbeing.  

“We’re pleased to be able to use this funding in Tewkesbury Borough to support the design and costs for a permanent replacement footbridge over the River Swilgate. The footbridge is a popular route for many of our residents – particularly during periods of flooding – and we’re keen to push forward with plans to rebuild it.”  

Councillor Rowena Hay, Leader of Cheltenham Borough Council, said: “This allocation builds upon the allocation made by the CIL Joint Committee in March this year of over £13 million, demonstrating our collective commitment to investing in infrastructure that will make a real difference to our communities.”