Residents could soon be asked for their views on how cash given to the council from developers of local housing projects could be spent to improve parts of Gedling borough.
Gedling Borough Council’s Cabinet will meet on Thursday (12) and decide on if to go ahead with the recommendation of a new report about consulting the public over a number of projects that could be funded that include creating a new Park & Ride site near the A60 in Redhill, a heritage centre in Gedling Country Park and a leisure centre in Carlton.
The cash to pay for the proposed projects would come from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) which is a charge from local authorities on developers when there is new development in their area. It is used to help them deliver the infrastructure needed to support development in their area.
Now that the council has fulfilled its commitment to part fund the construction of the Gedling Access Road (GAR) now known as Colliery Way, through £4,448,120 of CIL and a visitor centre at Gedling Country Park – spending of £1,454,360 of CIL cash to cover the construction costs – two new projects can be selected.
The report proposes a number of projects that could be put before the public to share their views on.
These include a new bus-based Park and Ride Facility near Leapool Roundabout on the A60 which is not deliverable with the current level of funding available at present.
The report stated: “The land identified for the Leapool Park and Ride remains safeguarded and further design work will continue whilst future funding opportunities, such as the strategic CIL, are investigated.”
The cash could also be spent on improving pedestrian and cycle routes along the northern bank of the River Trent within Gedling, the Calverton Mineral Line and Gedling Colliery and Mapperley Plains.
It proposes that the recently-announced strategic vision for Arnold Town Centre called “Ambition Arnold” could also be delivered through CIL.
Money could also be used for the development of a new Carlton Leisure and Community Wellbeing Centre.
The report said: “Given the significant costs expected to arise from the development of a new Centre it is considered likely that a funding gap will exist in relation to the wider infrastructure works required to deliver this. As such it is considered that CIL receipts could be appropriate to help meet any potential funding gaps.”
Finally, the construction of a Heritage Centre at Gedling Country Park has also been proposed to display and educate visitors about the history of the site would again further encourage visitors into the Borough and enhance one of Gedling’s key Green Spaces.
The cabinet meet on Thursday to discuss plans and the meeting will be streamed live on YouTube. You can find the link HERE