A multi-million-pound roundabout, a new £800,000 country park and a £730,000 cycle route are among nine projects in and around Norwich set for a £10m boost.
Council leaders have picked those projects, along with ones for a new village hall, regeneration of a Norwich park and controversial changes to city streets, to benefit from money raised through a tax on developers.
The nine projects selected by members of the Greater Norwich Growth Board - made up of representatives from Norwich, Broadland, South Norfolk and Norfolk councils - are:
- £5m towards a scheme to improve access to Hethel Technology Park, including a new roundabout.
- £2.8m for changes to Guildhall and Exchange Street in Norwich.
- £250,000 earmarked for a 3G pitch in Aylsham
- Just under £470,000 towards a country park for Cringleford.
- A new cycle route between Hethersett and Norwich Research Park to get just over £500,000.
- £500,000 towards a new village hall for Easton.
- £850,000 towards regeneration of Norwich's Sloughbottom Park.
- A project to improve access to the Roman town of Venta Icenorum at Caistor St Edmund to get £153,000.
- Just over £133,000 to provide better access to Queens Hills Community Park.
The money comes from a pool of cash generated by the community infrastructure levy (CIL).
That is money developers have to pay to councils, which then divide it up among schemes which bring community benefits.
Council leaders say the money will help draw in match funding, taking the total to almost £27m.
John Fuller, leader of South Norfolk Council and chair of the GNGB, said: "The ambition shown in the list of projects put forward for investment shows the extent to which the GNGB is making real improvements for residents and visitors to Greater Norwich.
"This investment will ensure that essential infrastructure is delivered alongside housing growth, giving our local communities long-lasting benefits that will make a positive difference to their lives."
The award of the money will be formally confirmed in March 2023 and has to get approval from the cabinet of the city and district councils.
What are the schemes?
Hethel Technology Park (£5m towards £8.2m scheme)
Council leaders have previously hailed how major improvements at Hethel could open up almost 50 acres of employment land and unlock nearly 900 jobs.
It includes a three-arm roundabout on Wymondham Road to provide new access to Hethel Engineering Centre and a new road providing access 'limbs' to new and existing businesses.
Norwich's Guildhall Hill and Exchange Street (£2.8m towards a £5.9m scheme)
This project to rejuvenate Guildhall Hill and Exchange Street has already sparked controversy.
The closure of Exchange Street to general traffic and the relocation of the taxi rank has prompted a mixed response.
Norwich's Sloughbottom Park (£850,000 towards an £8.5m scheme)
The regenerations plans for the Mile Cross park include improvements to the pavilion, a new 3G football pitch, better changing facilities, play park improvements and a revamp for the BMX track.
The scheme has been backed by Norwich North Chloe Smith.
Cringleford Country Park (£480,000 towards an £800,000 scheme)
With Cringleford the centre of considerable housebuilding in recent years, Cringleford Parish Council is keen to protect land from development.
It is buying just over 40 acres of land in the Yare Valley, next to the University of East Anglia woods, to preserve it as a country park.
Easton Village Hall (£505,000 towards a £1.5m scheme)
A new multi-use village hall in Easton, with a Sports England compliant main sports hall, changing rooms, toilets and an events/meeting area with a bar and a kitchen.
Hethersett to Norwich Research Park cycle route (£501,000 towards £730,000 scheme)
The scheme would see the construction of an off-carriageway, shared-use cycling and walking path along the western side of Colney Lane from the junction of Braymeadow Lane to the bridge over the A47.
Queens Hills Community Park (£133,000 towards a £153,000 scheme)
The scheme would provide better access to the 90-acre park on the southern edge of Queens Hills in Costessey, with formal footpaths, circular walks, an extra access point, cycle racks and waymakers.
Venta Icenorum Caistor St Edmund Roman Town (£153,000)
The project will double the capacity of the site's car park to cope with an increased number of visitors.
Youngs Park Aylsham (£250,000 for a £900,000 scheme)
A full-sized artificial 3G pitch is proposed in this project, to replace the existing turf pitch, where Aylsham Football Club play.
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