Local Project Fund Guidance
Surrey Heath Borough Council is inviting residents, community groups, and local organisations to apply for funding to support projects that improve your neighbourhood.
This funding comes from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) – a charge paid by developers working in the borough. The money is used to help build and improve the infrastructure our communities need to grow and thrive.
What is CIL and how is it allocated?
The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) allows the council to raise funds from some forms of new development to help fund the infrastructure needed to mitigate the impacts of new development. CIL funds are used for either local infrastructure or infrastructure of wider strategic benefit to the borough. The council has been collecting CIL since 1 December 2014.
An initial 5% of CIL funds collected is retained by the council for administration purposes and 15% of the funds are allocated to parishes and wards for infrastructure projects which are required in the communities where development took place (25% is allocated to parishes with an adopted Neighbourhood Plan).
The funds for parish areas are paid to parish councils and bids can be made to them.
Payment of funds for CIL Projects 2026
Successful projects must be able to commence within the twelve months following the award and acceptance of the terms and conditions. Where relevant, the CIL funding will be conditional upon the applicant obtaining any necessary building regulations and/or planning permission and any other consents or permissions as may be required.
Payment will be made after completion of the project and submission of verifiable invoices. In some cases, the council may require checks to show the project has been satisfactorily completed. The original invoices/receipts need to be submitted to the council as proof of expenditure. You must have a bank account in the name of your organisation into which the council will pay the funding.
The CIL funding is a one-off payment and will not result in any future revenue commitment by the council. Any maintenance responsibility, revenue liability or ongoing future funding related to the application lies with the Applicant.
The assessment process is competitive, and not all applications will be funded. There is no right of appeal against the decision.
Publicity
The applicant will need to agree to publicise the support of Surrey Heath Borough Council and the council reserves the right to use images of the project resulting from the award of the CIL funding as part of any publicity material that it may wish.
Completing the application form
The deadline for submission of completed applications to the Council for this funding is noon on Monday 16 February 2026.
To discuss a potential project or for further guidance, please contact cil@surreyheath.gov.uk.
Apply
Find out more and apply on the Local Project Funding webpage.