£370,000 to be invested in Mid Suffolk communities

The money from housing growth will be used to fund local projects

Author: Arlen JamesPublished 10th Mar 2021

Mid Suffolk District Council has agreed to fund £370,000 worth of local projects.

The money comes from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). which is collected from developers when they build homes in the area.

At a Cabinet meeting on Monday (8 March) the authority agreed a number of a projects, including the expansion of Mendlesham Health Centre.

It will contribute over £239,000 toward works to increase clinical space, a new designed waiting room, larger dispensary capacity and improved car parking facilities.

The expansion was proposed as the surgery, which serves almost 8,000 patients, is currently running at over capacity.

It is also hoped the expansion will encourage hospital consultants to have outpatient clinics there to prevent the need to travel miles to the nearest hospital.

The council also agreed £50,000 for the provision of a new Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) Fuel Tank at the authority's depot in Creeting Road, Stowmarket.

It expects to reduce carbon emissions by up to 90% and result in lower maintenance costs and a longer engine life for the council's public realm, housing, and waste and recycling collection vehicles.

£18,487 has also been allocated for a running track at Gislingham's Church of England Primary School as part of the Daily Mile initiative.

Meanwhile, £62,632 will be be used for works to the Ron Crascall Pavilion in Haughley, improving and expanding its car park, and building a designated secure storage outbuilding.

Councillor David Burn, Mid Suffolk District Council Cabinet Member for Planning, said: "It’s great news that this latest round of CIL funding will support a range of local projects and provide the infrastructure needed to keep pace with growth.

"All bids are set to make a real difference to the district, but I’m especially pleased that over £239,000 has been agreed to facilitate the much-needed expansion of Mendlesham Health Centre, benefitting not just Mendlesham residents but also those in the surrounding villages. Our communities need accessible local health services in order to thrive and enjoy bright and healthy futures – and we are reminded of this now more than ever.

"CIL Funding will also further our council’s ambition to use Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil fuel in our fleet vehicles – protecting our environment and helping meet our aim of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2030, as we all work towards a greener Suffolk."

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