The window for applications for money from the Council's newly created Greenwich Neighbourhood Growth Fund is now open.

Community groups have until 4 February 2018 to submit their proposals.

The money comes from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), a scheme introduced by Government allowing councils to raise money from developments which is then used to deliver infrastructure improvements. The money available will change annually, depending on what new developments have been built.

Neighbourhood CIL is a portion of the money collected by the Borough that goes to locally sourced projects.

Greenwich Neighbourhood Growth Fund

To deliver on this Royal Greenwich has divided the borough into four neighbourhood areas with each area given an allocation of money out of the newly created Greenwich Neighbourhood Growth Fund.

Each application must address a demand that development has placed on the local area and be for the benefit of the local community.

Proposals must be fully costed and have the endorsement of all councillors in the ward in which the proposal will be delivered. Proposals should be for more than £5,000.

Funds are allocated in relation to the level of the Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) raised in financial year 2016/17 and carried forward from 2015/16 in each area.

The four Neighbourhood areas:

Area one: Coldharbour and New Eltham, Eltham North, Eltham South, Eltham West, Middle Park and Sutcliffe, Shooters Hill
Current total amount available £ 78,973

Area Two: Blackheath Westcombe, Peninsula, Greenwich West
Current total amount available £137,101

Area three: Charlton Kidbrooke with Hornfair, Woolwich Common, Woolwich Riverside
Current total amount available £30,000

Area four: Abbey Wood, Glyndon Plumstead, Thamesmead Moorings
Current total amount available £30,000

How to apply

Find out further information and apply

Community groups requiring further guidance can email growth-fund@royalgreenwich.gov.uk.

After you've applied

After the 4 February deadline the Council will shortlist a list of preferred projects.

This will be followed by a two week public consultation where residents can vote for their favourite out of the other proposals that meet the application criteria.

The winning proposals will be revealed March 2018. This is an annual process and future funding rounds will be announced later in 2018.

This fund will change over time in terms of the amount of money available because it is dependent on how much development goes up in each area - the more development the higher the amount.

'Improve their local area'

Councillor Danny Thorpe, Deputy Leader, and Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Sustainability, said: "We would urge community groups to go to our website which has all the details about applying to the Greenwich Neighbourhood Growth Fund and think about how they could use some of that money to improve their local area.

"We're really eager to see exciting, grassroots projects."