Sports pavilion, level crossing project and play area among projects boosted by £2million investment

11/11/25

More than £2million will be invested in projects across Mid Suffolk including a new sports pavilion, development work for a level crossing, and major play area revamp.

Mid Suffolk District Council’s Cabinet voted today to approve the latest round of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) bids for seven schemes.

It is a legal requirement for developers of residential sites to pay CIL to the council (where eligible), and this is then invested in infrastructure to help communities keep pace with the impacts of housing growth.

Among the successful bids was more than £1.6m to go towards the creation of a new sports pavilion at Chilton Fields which is part of a wider sports and wellbeing strategy in the area.

It will replace the existing pavilion and clubhouse, built 35 years ago and used by many local clubs including Stowmarket Rugby Club and Stowmarket Cricket Club.

The next phase of the Thurston railway station level crossing project has also benefitted from this round of CIL funding, with more than £500,000 allocated for further development work.

There will also be a £100,000 investment in the play area at Stowmarket Recreation Ground, nearly £30,000 for a heating project at Debenham Church, more than £20,000 for Gosbeck village hall, and nearly £30,000 for Old Newton village hall.

Councillor Andrew Stringer, Cabinet Member for Heritage, Planning and Infrastructure for Mid Suffolk District Council, said: “This is a fantastic round of CIL funding with such a range of well deserving projects receiving that much needed financial boost.

“CIL is such an important avenue for local community projects to explore, and it will be great to see these projects take shape and to be enjoyed by the community for many years to come.”

Bids made for CIL funding are continuously reviewed by the Councils and regularly taken forward for decisions.

Since May 2018, Mid Suffolk has awarded more than £20m of CIL to nearly 100 projects including school expansions, an emergency services hub, two health care extensions, supporting sporting infrastructure and footpaths and cycleways.

All CIL monies collected, including any interest earned on CIL that hasn’t yet been spent, is only used for community infrastructure projects.