Community Projects Reap Dividends From The People’s Vote

March 8, 2019

It’s been a bumper year for community groups as the winners of the Greenwich Neighbourhood Growth Fund are now revealed.

A remarkable 23 community groups across the borough will be receiving money to spend on improving their local area. The successful proposals will deliver a range of community benefits that include: new and improved facilities and services for people with learning difficulties; improvements to local parks and open spaces; public conveniences; sport facilities; health and well-being projects; and a community festival.

The money for the Greenwich Neighbourhood Growth Fund comes from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), a scheme introduced by Government allowing councils to raise money from developments which is then used to deliver infrastructure improvements.

Over 3,200 votes were cast to help decide on the winning projects in the four neighbourhood areas. This is the second round of funding for the Neighbourhood Growth Fund for which the borough is divided into four neighbourhoods. Each neighbourhood is allocated a set amount, which is dependent on the amount of development in their area.

Any unallocated funds from this round will be automatically ringfenced, so they are available to fund projects in the next round later this year.

The next application round for the Greenwich Neighbourhood Growth Fund will open in Autumn 2019.

The winners in each neighbourhood are:

Area one – Eltham and Shooters Hill

  • The Friends of The Tarn – Upgrades to The Tarn park facilities
  • Friends of Eltham Parks – Public toilets
  • Friends of Fairy Hill Park – Renovation of ball courts
  • Friends of Avery Hill Park – New outdoor hub in Avery Hill Park
  • Severndroog Castle Building Preservation Trust – Encouraging health and wellbeing at Severndroog
  • Twistfizz – Extended play at Eltham Park South tennis courts
  • Christ Church Primary School – Shooters Hill school playground
  • Middle Park Community Centre – Get Up and Go (Middle Park Outdoor Space improvements)

Area two – Blackheath and Greenwich

  • Friends of Westcombe Woodlands – Seed to Tree Programme
  • Montessori Education for Autism – Blackheath/Westcombe Autism Support Yard Project
  • Greenwich Millennium Village – 2019 GMV Summer Fayre
  • Friends of East Greenwich Pleasaunce – Drinking fountain in the Pleasaunce
  • St Alfege Church Greenwich – For your Convenience, St Alfege Church
  • The Forum at Greenwich – Love Your Loos
  • Talk About Art – Stained glass window project
  • Greenwich Mural Workshop – Rathmore Hall mosaic bench repairs

Area three – Charlton and Woolwich

  • The Friends of Maryon and Maryon Wilson Animal Parks – Maryon Wilson Animal Park renovation
  • Champions4Change and St Peter’s Community Boxing Club – Guard Up Against Gangs/Young People’s Wellbeing –Boxing
  • Charlton Triangle Homes/New Leaf – New Leaf Food Cabin Store
  • Bridge 86 Ltd trading as Bridge Support – Stir Cafe Community Hub
  • Central Greenwich Children’s Centre – Community creche, Clock House Community Centre
  • Charlton Park Rugby Football Club – Improving the lives of young people

Area four – Abbey Wood, Plumstead and Thamesmead

  • Friends of Plumstead Common – Winn’s Common playground renovation

 

Cllr Danny Thorpe, Leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, said: “It is wonderful news that we are able to fund such a brilliant and broad range of community projects which will improve the borough and the lives of people in those areas. It would have been tough to pick a winner ourselves, so thank you to all those who voted for their favourites to help our decision.

“We are looking forward to receiving even more applications for great ideas to mitigate the impact of development and enhance neighbourhoods when the next round for the Greenwich Neighbourhood Growth Fund opens later in the year.”