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Money from developers to inject £20m into community projects across Southwark

11 September 2024

  • £20m has been raised by Southwark Council through a levy on new development
  • A new report going the council’s Cabinet will begin the process to release the money to local projects that support growth and benefit communities
  • Allocations will be made under an amended framework to boost impact, flexibility, and alignment with Southwark2030 goals

Southwark Council is planning a £20m investment drive into local projects to ensure neighbourhoods see direct benefits from growth and development.

The £20m was raised by the council through a levy on development schemes (new buildings such as housing, hotels or shops) known as the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). It’s just one of the ways in which developments and developers can give back to the community.

To date, Neighbourhood CIL has funded major projects such as Marlborough Sports Gardens, Surrey Docks Farm and Lavender Pond Nature Reserve, with exciting plans in the pipeline for Alexis St Park and Leyton Square.

The council has set out how the latest round of Neighbourhood CIL funds will be allocated in a new report going to Cabinet for approval on 16 September 2024. Funds will be spent in the neighbourhoods in which they were generated, with some minor changes to the existing process that will result in:

  • more impact by encouraging a minimum level of funding where feasible
  • more flexibility to bring forward shovel-ready projects quickly where local priorities are already agreed while also facilitating discussions about local priorities between ward councillors and the community 
  • better alignment with the Southwark2030 goals, which were jointly developed by the council, local people, public services, business, education and cultural sectors.

Cllr Helen Dennis, cabinet member for new homes and sustainable development, said: “Neighbourhood CIL money is a direct investment in the local community on projects that you can see, touch and smell. This £20m will supercharge our capacity to support even more exciting and innovative projects that might not have been possible otherwise, whether that’s in our parks, on our streets or on our estates.

“Ultimately, we want to be spending Neighbourhood CIL in the very best way possible with the biggest impact. We are excited to see project ideas come forward for this round of CIL funding over the coming months, with Southwark2030 goals as our guide so that together with our communities, we build a fair, green and safe Southwark where everyone can life a good life.”

Read the full CIL allocation report going to the council’s Cabinet on 16 September for approval on the council’s website.

Page last updated: 11 September 2024

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