Development funds Ladies Mile path upgrade

A footpath updated by Knutsford Town Council has been given the thumbs up from the staff and children at Poppies Day Nursery.

Until recently, the footpath along Ladies Mile ended in a muddy stretch before it reached the pavement on Tabley Road and in winter months this was particularly wet and muddy. Thanks to the work of Knutsford Town Council, it is now a compacted limestone path providing a solid surface for walkers and cyclists including the children from Poppies Day Nursery who use the path regularly.

This upgrade project was the first to be delivered using Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funds and approved by the council’s CIL Projects advisory committee through which volunteer residents help make decisions on spending local funds raised from development.

One parent of children who attend Poppies Day Nursery said “Before the path, on rainy days, the journey was so boggy with tree roots a pram wouldn't go through so parents needed to walk on the road itself, with cars passing by. Now my toddlers are safely zooming along the new path on bikes and stopping to chat to their friends on the way. It's really improved the way we get to nursery - from a safety point of view and socially.”

The need to improve this path was raised in the Knutsford Neighbourhood Plan process. The works were promoted by the Town Council’s Environment and Transport Committee and completed with permission of landowners, the Tatton Estate.

CIL funds are a form of development tax raised on most major residential extensions and new builds. 25% of the funds raised from CIL in Knutsford are passed to the Town Council to fund local projects whilst the balance is held by Cheshire East Council to fund borough-wide infrastructure. So far, CIL has been raised on a number of small developments and the Town Council currently holds a CIL reserve of just over £23k. The two current major development sites (Northwich Road and Parkgate Lane) were not subject to CIL due to being given outline approval before it was introduced in 2019, however future major schemes would generate significant CIL for long-lasting community projects. 

CIL presents an opportunity to deliver a range of long-lasting projects and the Town Council’s CIL Framework sets out how it will use its share of CIL to benefit the community. This includes opportunity for community organisations to apply for future CIL funds to support investment in community facilities.

More information about the Town Council’s use of CIL can be found at:

https://www.knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk/services/cil

Pictured -  Cllr Colin Banks with staff and children from Poppies Nursery.