COMMUNITY facilities across the borough will receive over £300,000 from Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.

The money from central Government’s new homes bonus scheme is allocated to local authorities for a six-year period, given yearly for communities which have seen an increase in house building.

The Local Infrastructure Fund aims to deliver “larger ticket” facilities and infrastructure improvements of over £25,000 and the projects have to make a significant and long-lasting impact on the local community. However, applications for funding below £25,000 can also be considered.

Councillor Robert Tate, the borough council’s Cabinet member for communities, service delivery and improvement, has, under delegated powers, approved a number of applications to the fund to finance improvement projects.

This includes up to £130,000 for a skate park in Rooksdown, up to £114,900 to Buckskin Evangelical Church to help finance the building of a new annexe and up to £33,600 for Ashford Hill and Headley Parish Council towards an upgrade of a children’s play area.

In addition, up to £25,600 has been awarded to Ecchinswell, Sydmonton and Bishops Green Parish Council to improve the entrance and condition of the Ecchinswell Village Hall car park and up to £14,300 will be given to Wootton St Lawrence Parish Council for the upgrade of a children’s play area in Ramsdell.

In a report, Cllr Tate said: “Each of these projects represent a positive application of Local Infrastructure Funding. They clearly have community and ward member support identified through consultation and I am sure will each contribute to the development of the communities that support them.”