PROJECTS across Basingstoke and Deane in need of improvements or maintenance have been given a financial boost thanks to the borough council's Local Infrastructure Fund (LIF).

More than £900,000 will be handed out to community organisations from the Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s (BDBC) LIF, which aims to improve existing, or establish new, facilities for community, sport, education or public amenity.

Grants totalling £908,030, funded by the New Homes Bonus, will be allocated to 16 different local projects.

These include The Hurst Community College in Baughurst, which has been granted £150,000 to support the refurbishment of its gym, hall and treatment room to deliver a wider range of activities to improve health and wellbeing.

Queen Mary’s College will receive funding of £34,500 for improvements to its swimming pool and changing facilities.

Village halls will also benefit from the funding with Kempshott Village Hall awarded £60,000 to carry out repair work on its roof, floor, windows and kitchen; while Dummer Village Hall has £19,600 to upgrade to a more sustainable heating system.

As previously reported in the Gazette, children in Brookvale and Kings Furlong can look forward to new play equipment and landscaping at the Cordale Road and Culver Road play areas with a grant of £176,200.

The awards approved by borough councillors also include projects in Norden, Eastrop, Basing, Kingsclere, Burghclere, Highclere and St Mary Bourne.

BDBC abinet member for finance, service delivery and improvement councillor Robert Tate said: “Once again, the council is pleased to support community projects through funding awards from the Local Infrastructure Fund.

“A wide range of improvements will now go ahead around the borough, benefitting local people of all ages as much-used amenities are extended and refurbished, made safer and more accessible.

“The fund is a useful source for the community. Since the start of the LIF programme, in January 2014, grants totalling £5,307,484 have supported 78 projects across the borough.”

To find out more about LIF funding visit basingstoke.gov.uk.