Nearly £160,000 is to be allocated on three community projects from a levy on developers building in the borough.

Developers given planning permission to build large developments may be required to contribute a charge to the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) pot. 

The fund had nearly £310,000 in it at the start of March, with people invited to apply for funding for projects which improve infrastructure in the borough or benefit the community. 

Dudley Council’s ruling cabinet will be asked to approve plans to spend £158,000 of that to bring forward three schemes. It is proposed to spend £80,000 on improvements to the derelict bowling green at Buffery Park, including relaying the surface and putting up secure perimeter fencing. 

A further £47,000, if approved, will be spent on resurfacing the pathway around the pond at Milking Bank park. 

And £31,000 will be spent on turning the grade II listed Delph Stables building on the Dudley Canal in Brierley Hill into a community centre. 

The three projects scored the highest on a matrix ranking system used by council officers to determine which projects should get funding. 

The CIL has previously funded projects including improvements to Shell Corner in Halesowen and a flood alleviation scheme at The Delph in Brierley Hill.

Councillor Simon Phipps, cabinet member for economy and infrastructure, said: “The three projects being put forward have scored the highest on an in-depth matrix ranking system used by our officers to determine which schemes should get funding. 

“This cash will allow these projects to go ahead for the benefit of our communities, and so I welcome the proposals and expect cabinet to back them at the meeting.” 

The proposals will be discussed at the next meeting of Dudley Council’s cabinet. It takes place at 6.15pm on Thursday June 19th in Committee Room 2 at Dudley Council House in Priory Road. Members of the public are welcome to attend.