Christmas comes early for raft of community projects in South Downs National Park

Improving village halls, schools, playgrounds, bus shelters, access paths and libraries are among the goals of a major funding boost from the South Downs National Park Authority.

As 2025 draws to a close, the National Park is announcing 31 projects across Sussex and Hampshire that will receive a share of just under £1.9m. The funds have been raised through the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), which is administered by the National Park Authority and paid by developers as a means of supporting new community infrastructure.

In addition to this, 31 parish and town councils across the National Park are sharing a slice of almost £300,000 to spend on grassroots community projects in their own areas.

In Hampshire, a nature play area at Queen Elizabeth Country Park, near Waterlooville, will be renovated thanks to a £50,000 cash injection. Meanwhile, £95,000 will be spent on improving the banks of the Itchen Navigation, as well as a further £59,000 on improving the Cheriton Stream, near Winchester. Funding of £29,000 will help to create a nature-based classroom at Clanfield Junior School.

In West Sussex, £390,000 of CIL funding will be spent on creating the next section of the Centurion Way from West Dean to Cocking along the disused railway line. It’s hoped that the access path for walkers and cyclists will eventually create a continuous route from Chichester and the south coast to link up with the 100-mile South Downs Way. Meanwhile, Fittleworth School will benefit from £150,000 for further environmental improvements to its playground, while Harting Primary School will receive £56,000 for new outdoor learning facilities and play equipment.

In East Sussex, some £100,000 will be spent on improving access routes at Stanmer Park, near Brighton, which is an important gateway to the National Park. A further £80,000 of CIL funding will go towards restoring Falmer Pond, while almost £25,000 will be spent on replacing bird hides at Woods Mill Nature Reserve, near Henfield. Some £65,000 will go towards installing climate-friendly features at School Hill House Doctors’ Surgery in Lewes, while just over £81,000 will be spent on improving and making safer the C7 road from Lewes to Newhaven.

Tim Slaney, Director of Planning at the National Park Authority said: “As we come to the end of 2025 and the National Park’s 15th anniversary, it’s wonderful to be able to share this good news.

“I’m so pleased that we’re able to help such a diverse range of projects, including many that will help young people connect with nature and improve access opportunities so people can enjoy this landscape and all its wellbeing benefits. I’m also pleased to see several village hall renovations – these buildings have been the hub of local communities for generations, but many need refurbishment and I’m glad we’re able to help.

“For several years, the Community Infrastructure Levy has been an important element of our role as planning authority for the National Park and I’m delighted we’ve been able to help so many different projects that might not otherwise receive funding.”

The Authority has now opened the call for projects for the 2025/2026 round of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding.

Find out more here

CIL funding is designed to be spent on infrastructure to support growth within the National Park around the priorities of Nature Recovery, Climate Action and A National Park for All and the Authority welcomes potential bids that support these priorities.

The full list of projects to benefit by county

Hampshire

Cheriton Stream, near Winchester – Restoring the Source of the River Itchen £59,160
Twyford – Flood alleviation scheme £51,000
Queen Elizabeth Country Park, Waterlooville – Improving nature play area £50,000
Earthworks Trust Limited, Sustainability Centre, East Meon – Outdoor nature classroom for all seasons £48,308
Itchen Navigation – Surface and bank improvements £95,000
Butser Hill, Clanfield – Livestock management and conservation grazing £35,000
Clanfield Junior School – Nature recovery eco-classroom and area £29,000
Blackmoor Village Hall – Installation of solar panels £25,000
Shortheath Common, Bordon – improvements to boardwalk and dragon’s teeth £20,000
Liss Infant School – Outside Play Equipment £35,000
Steep Common, Petersfield – entrance and access improvements £7,000

West Sussex

Fittleworth School – Project will focus on adapting to climate change, demonstrating sustainable water management (SuDs) and nature recovery as well as providing education, play and sporting opportunities £150,000 (on top of £200,000 already received)
Centurion Way (West Dean to Cocking) – creation of walking and cycling route on disused railway line £390,000
West Ashling / Funtington Village Hall – Parish Hall refurbishment £140,000
Bury – Village hall refurbishment £100,000
Bury CE Primary School – new canopy £40,000
Harting Primary School – Outdoor learning facilities and play equipment £56,745
Bignor Roman Villa – toilet improvements £50,000
Rogate – multi-games area restoration £40,000
Petworth Library – accessibility improvements £38,000
Midhurst – Upgrading and improving Carron Lane Playpark £20,000
Amberley – improving Crossgates bus shelter £6,000
Graffham Down Trust – Interpretation Boards on South Downs Way £1,800

East Sussex

Stanmer Park, Brighton – access improvements £100,000.00
Safer C7 Project between Lewes and Newhaven – help towards safety improvements on Piddinghoe Road £81,105
Falmer – pond restoration as part of Downs to the Sea project £80,000
School Hill House Dr Surgery, Lewes – Decarbonisation measures as part of OVESCO project £65,000
Woods Mill Nature Reserve, near Henfield – replacing bird hide and pond platforms at site run by Sussex Wildlife Trust £24,800
Polegate/A27 – Signage for diverting the National Cycle Network route 2 and the Avenue Verte within the South Downs National Park £9,950
Ovingdean – New tree planting £3,456