Shropshire residents will soon be reaping the benefits of a new planning initiative, with thousands of pounds being ploughed into community projects as a windfall from new development.

Developers now have to pay a contribution as part of the planning process for any new development to help provide some kind of improvement to the surrounding area – and it is down to the local community to decide how the money is spent.

Shropshire Council is one of the first councils in the country to adopt the initiative, called the Community Infrastructure Levy, which came into effect on 1 January 2012. It means communities across Shropshire will be given thousands of pounds for a variety of projects, which will be based on priorities set by parish and town councils in local Place Plans through consultation with local residents.

The money could be spent on anything from children’s play areas to the upkeep of a community hall – anything that is defined as “providing infrastructure to support the development of an area” by the Planning Act 2008.

Councillor Mal Price, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for planning, said:

“Shropshire is leading the way with this initiative, which aims to redress the balance between development and the benefit for the community. The Community Infrastructure Levy will provide significant financial boosts to improve the area where you live.

“We recognise that all communities are different and that their requirements change over time, so each area has a separate Place Plan outlining people’s needs and priorities within that area.

“Our Place Plan approach is a great example of localism in action and has rightly generated significant interest from others. The key to its success will be helping communities to deliver more for themselves, by recognising the positive aspects that development can now bring to an area.”

You can find out more information about the Community Infrastructure Levy and Place Plans by following this link to Shropshire Council’s planning webpages.