Published on Monday 23 February 2026
Image: Cllr David Brown, Cllr Marcus Andrews, Cllr Richard Burton and Harold Burridge, chair of the Merley Community Association, outside Merley Community Centre
From revamped community hubs and improved parks to new cycle stands and life-saving medical equipment, a fresh funding boost is helping local projects take shape.
A record-breaking allocation of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Neighbourhood Portion funding was awarded to 60 community projects across Bournemouth and Poole last summer – with cricket clubs, community centres and street tree planting all benefitting.
BCP Council allocated more than £950,000 to community projects with grants ranging from a few hundred pounds up to £75,000 per bid: and now we’re getting to work alongside communities to get projects off the ground and completed.
Merley Community Centre submitted six successful applications and received just over £130,000 to enable a significant transformation.
Facilities at the centre have been upgraded with new doors, toilets and table tennis facilities installed as well as a complete resurfacing of the rear car park.
And work has now got underway on a raft of enhancements at Ashley Cross Green to upgrade the already-loved space. Improvements will see benches and lampposts repaired and refurbished, pathways resurfaced and the installation of new play equipment.
Funding for the projects stems from CIL contributions – a planning charge on developers aimed at mitigating the impact of new developments. A portion of this is allocated specifically for investment into community-driven projects and infrastructure as part of the Neighbourhood Portion allocation.
Cllr Sandra Moore, portfolio holder for communities and partnerships at BCP Council, said: “I’m really pleased to see such a wide range of community projects benefitting from this funding. It shows how we can reinvest money from local developments directly into the priorities and passions of our communities.
“This funding genuinely makes a difference – whether it’s life-saving equipment or improvements to much-loved community hubs. These projects are exactly what CIL is meant to support.
“With nearly £1.5 million of extra funding recently made available we’ll soon be announcing another round of allocations: I’m excited to see which fantastic local groups will benefit next.”
Funding awarded through successful bids can be used for a wide variety of projects: from the installation of life-saving medical equipment such as a defibrillator at St Thomas’ Church in Ensbury Park to new cycle stands at Sandbanks Promenade and Talbot Village
Other completed projects include helping to fund resources for Canford Heath surgery’s Patient Participation Group – ensuring hard to reach patients have access to vital resources, advice, and health checks.
Several improvements have been made at Russell-Cotes to enhance visitor experience: the beach-themed sculpture along the promenade have been repainted; the stone fountain in the Mediterranean garden brought back to life, and; the Japanese garden bridge has been repaired and returned to working order.
Cllr Andy Martin, portfolio holder for culture at BCP Council and member of the Russell-Cotes management committee, said: “The Russell-Cotes plays an integral role in our local heritage and it’s great to see CIL funding help preserve and enhance its cultural offering.
“The recent improvements might sound simple but are meaningful changes that will improve the experience of everyone who visits.
“This support helps us protect the museum and ensure it remains a place everyone can enjoy and feel proud of.”