A NUMBER of successful Evesham community projects were in the spotlight during a recent tour arranged for members of Wychavon’s Localism and Community Funding Advisory Panel.

The projects were made possible thanks to funding from Wychavon District Council’s New Homes Bonus scheme and contributions from developers through 106 agreements.

Wychavon District Council has allocated up to 40 per cent of the New Homes Bonus money it receives from the government to local communities where new development has taken place. Town and parish councils submit proposals to the advisory panel for consideration. The panel also looks at proposals for improvements funded through some of the developer contributions.

With many of the Evesham projects having recently been completed, the councillors and co-optees on the advisory panel took the opportunity to see how the funding that they had approved had been put to use.

During the tour councillors visited the recently completed projects at Crown Meadow and Abbey Park Café, Evesham War Memorial and The Bell Tower – £50,000 of New Homes Bonus money was given towards the conservation work to the Bell Tower.

Councillor Audrey Steel, the chairman of Wychavon’s Localism and Community Funding Advisory Panel, said: “I’m very pleased that we’ve had the opportunity to look at some of the projects that the New Homes Bonus and Section 106 money has supported in Evesham for the benefit of all the residents. The play area is particularly welcome as it caters for both able bodied and those less able to play together. The café feels light and airy and is a delight, and the new sculpture is a wonderful extension of the history of Evesham. The Bell Tower now looks complete and repaired and is another welcome example of how Wychavon can make a difference, and with so many of these projects being so close to the river, their setting should make a day spent in Evesham a very relaxing and enjoyable experience for people of every age.”