Proposals to allocate more than £800,000 generated from developers to support three projects across North Yorkshire are due to be considered by councillors.
The three priority projects that would boost education, transport and leisure provision have been earmarked to receive a combined total of £804,000 of funding generated from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL).
Transforming the Barlby Road gateway to Selby town centre, expanding Easingwold Community Primary School, and upgrading facilities at Slingsby Sports Club have all been identified as prospective developments that would benefit from this year’s funding pot.
It comes as we are looking to introduce a new Infrastructure Business Plan, which strategically sets out how future money generated from Community Infrastructure Levy will be spent and allocated to projects that benefit local communities.
While Section 106 agreements require developers to fund improvements directly related to a specific site, such as roads and schools, Community Infrastructure Levy gives local authorities the chance to pool funds from multiple projects for infrastructure that benefits the whole community.
The plan, which includes the earmarked projects for the first wave of funding as well as proposals for how Community Infrastructure Levy money should be allocated in the future, will be considered by senior councillors when they meet on Tuesday next week (16 December).
Executive member for open to business, Cllr Mark Crane, whose responsibilities include economic development and regeneration, said: “It is vital that we have a single, strategic plan for how Community Infrastructure Levy money is allocated and spent each year.
“That will allow us to provide greater clarity, transparency and consistency on how Community Infrastructure Levy money should be spent, and identify which projects are of most critical need in order to deliver sustainable growth across North Yorkshire.
“The advantage of Community Infrastructure Levy is that we can pool funding received from multiple developments, and use it to improve wider infrastructure projects that are not site-specific and that can benefit a greater number of residents.
“These proposals will be carefully considered by the executive next week.”
In 2024/25, more than £2.3 million was collected by North Yorkshire Council through Community Infrastructure Levy.
Over £2 million of that money was invested back into infrastructure projects supporting development, while a further £217,000 was distributed to town and parish councils.
An additional £10.5 million was secured from developers via Section 106 agreements to fund site-specific improvements for communities.
Among the projects identified to be supported by Community Infrastructure Levy funding this year is the Barlby Road Gateway scheme which aims to transform the area from the Greencore roundabout (A19/A63) to Selby town centre.
The proposal aims to create a more attractive gateway to Selby with improved footpaths, new pedestrian and cycle routes, tree planting, public seating areas and restored historic features that celebrates the town’s industrial heritage.
Feasibility work on the scheme, which could be allocated £500,000 of Community Infrastructure Levy money, is due to start in the coming months.
Meanwhile, funding could also be allocated to the prospective expansion of Easingwold Community Primary School. The school is facing increasing pressure with approximately 800 new homes having recently been built in the area.
Historically, the school has been unable to expand but recent housing developments have unlocked surrounding land, which could allow temporary classroom units to be built to accommodate the growing pupil population, as well as a new footpath and car park.
Feasibility work will shortly begin on a scheme earmarked to potentially receive up to £300,000 of Community Infrastructure Levy funding. This would part fund the expansion but additional funding would be needed to fully deliver the project, and it would require final approval from councillors
A further £4,000 has been proposed to upgrade the expansion of Slingsby Sports Club which hopes to create a more accessible site for users alongside enhanced recreational space and catering facilities.
Funding commitments made by the former Hambleton and Ryedale district councils to create a new 3G pitch in Bedale and expand Norton Lodge Primary School are to be revisited once the projects are closer to being ready for delivery.
See more information about funding contributions made by developers to support communities.