Huntingdonshire District Council has approved a significant number of infrastructure funding through the latest round of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) allocations, supporting a range of projects that will benefit residents, strengthen local services, and accommodate future growth across the district.
This CIL funding round considered applications seeking more than £100,000, along with updates on projects already in receipt of CIL investment. A range of schemes have now been approved, representing substantial investment in leisure, education, skills, emergency services provision, and natural spaces.
The 10 approved projects include:
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Huntingdon Sports and Health Hub - A major redevelopment of One Leisure Huntingdon to deliver improved sports and health and wellbeing facilities, including expanded swimming provision, an enlarged gym and a 3G pitch. The final amount of CIL funding will be confirmed by the S151 Officer.
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Three Padel Courts at King George V Playing Fields, Huntingdon - £300,000 CIL funding which will deliver three covered, floodlit padel courts.
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Construction Skills Workshop at Cambridge Regional College, Huntingdon - £150,000 CIL funding approved to enable a new workshop supporting construction skills training, helping meet local industry needs.
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Paxton Pits Visitor Experience Project, Little Paxton - £200,000 CIL funding approved to enhance the popular nature reserve with new pathways, play features, shelters, and seating to support increasing visitor numbers.
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Relocation of Abbey College Sixth Form, Ramsey - £1.31 million CIL funding approved to refurbish an existing building on the main school site to retain sixth-form provision locally.
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Reconfiguration and Refurbishment of St Ives Fire Station - £400,000 CIL funding approved to enhance the station’s operational layout, accessibility, welfare facilities, and training space to respond effectively to increased demand.
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SAPHIRE Construction Skills Centre, St Neots - £450,000 CIL funding approved for a new facility in Wintringham, St Neots will provide specialist training in construction, green technologies, and apprenticeships, supporting economic growth and local employment.
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Expansion of Warboys Primary Academy - £828,000 CIL funding approved for two new classrooms to accommodate increasing demand for primary places, including continued local SEND provision.
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Wheatsheaf Road / Somersham Road Improvement Scheme - A further extension of time to 31 December 2027 has been agreed for the delivery of the accident-reduction scheme, following ongoing delays linked to land acquisition.
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Youth Centre, St Neots - The proposal was supported in principle, with up to £500,000 of CIL funding to be considered once key requirements such as site arrangements, planning consent, Town Council commitment, and project viability are confirmed. Final approval of CIL funding will be delegated to the Head of Planning, Infrastructure & Public Protection in consultation with senior Council leadership.
Councillor Tom Sanderson, Deputy Executive Leader and Executive Councillor for Planning, said: “These investments represent a major step forward in ensuring Huntingdonshire has the facilities and infrastructure it needs to thrive. By directing CIL funding into projects that support health, education, skills, safety, and our natural environment, we are not only meeting the needs of today’s residents but preparing for the future of our growing district. Each of these schemes demonstrates our commitment to creating vibrant, resilient communities where people can live well and feel proud of where they call home.”
Prior to this round of projects, £31 million of CIL funding has been invested into the district to support infrastructure across Huntingdonshire. The projects funded in this round reflect the Council’s commitment to investing in sport, education, community safety, skills, and natural assets to ensure that facilities keep pace with the area’s development and future growth.
For more information on CIL and the projects it supports, visit the Community Infrastructure Levy webpage.