Funding boost turns local projects into child’s play

12/03/26

Mid Suffolk District Council is investing in facilities for youngsters across the district, with two play areas and a scout hut securing funding in the latest round of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) awards.

Church Road play area in Old Newton and Wetherden play area are both set to receive a share of over £50k, which will be used to upgrade play equipment making the areas more welcoming, inclusive and beneficial for a wider range of children.

Meanwhile, nearly £5.7k has been allocated to Needham Market Scout Hut to go towards the completion of a wider project to create a modern, larger and more versatile building.

Developers of eligible sites have a legal requirement to pay CIL to the council. Bids for CIL funding are then regularly reviewed by cabinet, so that the money can be ploughed back into local infrastructure, helping communities to keep pace with the impacts of housing growth.

Councillor Andrew Stringer, Cabinet Member for Heritage Planning and Infrastructure, said: “I’m really pleased to see that the next round of CIL has been allocated to some brilliant projects.
“As the need for housing develops at such pace, so does the need for high quality local infrastructure and CIL payments are just one of the ways that we can ensure they grow and develop at the same rate.
“It will be great to see these projects come to life for local communities to enjoy.”

All three of the successful bids were noted under delegated approval by Mid Suffolk District Council’s Cabinet.

Details of all the CIL awards can be found in the Cabinet papers, or they are summarised here:

Church Road Play Area Project, Old Newton - £29,999.99

This project is focused on upgrading the play facilities provided at Church Road play area which are more than 20 years old. The new play equipment will create an inclusive play area for local children and visitors.

Cllr Janet Pearson and Cllr Agnes Watson, ward councillors for Haughley, Stowupland & Wetherden, jointly said: “The play area in Old Newton is a much used and loved facility for the children of the village and it is great that it will now be possible for both the facility itself and its inclusiveness to be enhanced.”

Play Area Upgrade Project, Wetherden - £20,462.42

This project is to upgrade the play area on the site of Wetherden Playing Fields. Most of the current play equipment is in poor state of repair with both the ground cover and the existing equipment in need of an upgrade to make it a more welcoming and a more inclusive area.

Cllr Janet Pearson and Cllr Agnes Watson, ward councillors for Haughley, Stowupland & Wetherden, jointly said: “We are pleased that the CIL bid for the Wetherden play area equipment has been successful.
“This will replace the existing equipment in a poor state of repair and provide added inclusive features so the playground will be accessible to all and a great benefit to the Wetherden community.”

Scouts Hut Project, Needham Market - £5,691.98

1st Needham Market Scout Group have undertaken a project that has been substantially completed, to construct a new Scout Hut to provide a modern, larger and more versatile building. This CIL bid is going towards the completion of the construction project.

Cllr Terry Lawrence, ward councillor for Needham Market, said: “The New Scout Hut is an excellent facility in Needham Market and has been achieved through the hard work and endeavours of Scout leaders.
“It is also an excellent example of good environmental design and construction. This additional CIL funding assists in delivering the final phase of construction and is greatly welcomed.”

Cllr Ross Piper, fellow ward councillor for Needham Market, said: “This CIL funding will enable the completion of what will be a versatile and modern facility for the community.”