Helston King George V playing field project funding

Cornwall Council launched the second round of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Fund last summer, to fund projects that benefit children and young people. The first round awarded more than £600,000 in total to projects focused on low-carbon infrastructure.

Helston Town Council will receive £36,852.27 for ‘Pathways and Play’ – a project which aims to create new pathways and install new play equipment at Coronation Gardens Park and King George V Playing Fields.

Also getting funding will be the Breage Field Committee who are due to get £32,100 to support phase one of the Breage Playing Field improvement works – including new play equipment, drainage improvements and a programme of community events.

As The Packet reported last October, the King George V playing field and Coronation Gardens are at the centre of an ambitious project which it is hoped will ultimately result in a community café, new play equipment for children, and an outdoor gym.

The land, between Helston Rugby Club and Oliver’s Terrace, near Spar, already has Helston Scout Hut based on it, but is felt to be otherwise underused aside from dog walkers.

Olly Monk, Cornwall Council cabinet portfolio holder for housing and planning, said: "The Community Infrastructure Levy allows us to raise funds from new developments and pass this on to community projects making a real difference.

"We had initially set aside £500,000 for this second round and were inundated with applications. As we have been charging the CIL for four years now, we are receiving more payments and so have been able to set more money aside to support these worthwhile schemes.

"Congratulations to all those who have been successful in this second round – your projects will make a real difference to children and young people in your communities.

"We have also been able to set aside an additional £500,000, subject to conditions, for a further seven projects. More details will be announced in the summer."