Press release: Up to £6.5m of CIL funding to be confirmed by GNGB in March

15th December 2021

Seven projects, set to benefit communities in Broadland, Norwich and South Norfolk, have been earmarked to receive more than £4.5 million in funding from the Greater Norwich Growth Board in 2022/23.

These include a new elevated walkway along the River Wensum, closing the last remaining gap in the popular traffic-free route, a new 3G football pitch at the Heartsease Academy and an extension of the Yellow Pedalway between the Broadland Northway and Norwich International Airport.

Alongside these projects, a further £2 million is being proposed to extend a high school in south Norfolk and a recommendation to take out a £6.733 million loan to help fund the Long Stratton bypass.

The projects are being put forward for funding through the Greater Norwich Growth Board (GNGB) - a unique partnership designed to accelerate growth in Norwich, Broadland and South Norfolk.

The GNGB is made up of Broadland District Council, South Norfolk Council, Norwich City Council, Norfolk County Council and the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership, the award winning partnership pools Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) income from development in each area to invest in infrastructure and improvements for all.

Councillor Alan Waters, Leader of Norwich City Council and Chair of the Greater Norwich Growth Board, said:

“The diverse list of projects that have been put forward to be funded in 2022/23 show the extent to which the GNGB can make real improvements for residents and visitors to Greater Norwich.

“Its arrangement of pooling CIL funding, which is the only one of its kind in the UK, means that when development happens in Greater Norwich, communities can really feel the benefit.”

The next round of projects set to be recommended to benefit from this arrangement have been chosen through a robust selection process. They are:

• Wensum Walkway – a new elevated walkway on the River Wensum Walk, closing the last gap in this traffic-free route
  £1,264,951
• Broadland Country Park – new crossing for cyclists and pedestrians, new welcome sign and directional signage
  £100,666
• Yare Boat Club – improvements to enable and encourage increased participation of the sport including a new boat shed
  £80,000
• Yellow Pedalway extension – extending a cycle/footpath from the Broadland Northway, putting in bus stops near The Nest/Manor Park sports facilities
  £1,600,000
• Wensum Lodge – extensive works including, smoothing uneven surfaces, creating disability access, installing a changing places toilet and putting in cycle racks
  £1,090,000
• Football Development Centre, Heartsease Academy – installation of a new 3G football pitch
  £150,000
• Wherryman’s Way access improvements – improvements to access on the route through sections at Surlingham, Bramerton and Hardley Flood, allowing all ability access
  £216,500

There is also £2 million in funding proposed for the extension of Hethersett Academy, which is a response to 1,400 new homes being built in the village.

The GNGB also recommends that £6.733 million is drawn down through the City Deal to deliver the Long Stratton bypass and repaid over 25 years by pooled CIL.

The successful projects will be confirmed at the GNGB meeting on 17^th March.

Notes to editors:

The Greater Norwich Growth Board is a partnership comprising Broadland District, Norwich City, South Norfolk and Norfolk County Councils together with the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership. The partners have established the GNGB in order to work together, delivering homes, jobs and infrastructure in the area.

For more information about the GNGB, visit: www.greaternorwichgrowth.org.uk