Applications open on Monday 28 September and close on Tuesday 15 December 2026
Local groups in Cheltenham’s non-parished areas are being invited to bid for a share of £230,000 from the Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Fund to help deliver projects that make physical improvements to their local areas.
The funds have been collected from new developments as part of the planning process. They are intended to support community projects that have a social, environmental or economic objective in areas where development has taken place, to address the demands that development places on a local area. The funds can be allocated to projects within the area of the borough that are not covered by a parish council.
The Neighbourhood CIL Fund will open on Monday 28 September and applications must be made by Tuesday 15 December 2026. The application guidelines and application form will be available on the council’s website.
Councillor Paul Baker, cabinet member for planning and building control, said: “The Neighbourhood CIL Fund is a fantastic opportunity for community groups. We are particularly keen to receive bids from groups in the areas of greatest need in the town and hope that this money will make a real difference to local neighbourhoods.
“In 2025, we supported 17 projects across Cheltenham. These included solar panels for community buildings, improvements to shared outdoor spaces such as those in Monkscroft and St Aidan’s Garden, and new paths at Elmfield Park. Other projects included the Vision 21 Eco Hub, play area improvements, and renovations to buildings including the Everyman Theatre’s Education Centre in Grove Street and the Common Ground multi-use centre in Brooklyn Road.”
To be eligible for the fund, projects must deliver publicly accessible physical improvements and have economic, social or environmental objectives. Projects should address the demands that development places on an area, including contributing to carbon net zero ambitions. We are particularly keen to receive bids from the areas of greatest need in the non-parished areas. Examples include projects that:
- Improve the safety of residents and/or businesses
- Improve community facilities and enable social activities for young and/or older people and communities to connect
- Improve sport and physical activity facilities
- Improve the public realm, including cultural and creative projects
- Improve transport and access such as signage, lighting, pedestrian safety, and facilities for both electric vehicles and cyclists
- Improve green spaces including access, landscaping, biodiversity and play areas
- Create the links to the wider environment and sustainability agenda and that help Cheltenham meets its carbon zero target.
Applications to the fund will be assessed using published criteria and to be considered, applicants will need to show there is community support for the project, including support from at least one ward councillor in the area where the project will be taking place.
An informal briefing and Q&A session will be held online the week commencing 12 October 2026. To register your interest please email communityservices@cheltenham.gov.uk.
