FUNDS secured by the city council from a housebuilder in 2017 are being used to improve facilities in Carlisle.

A report prepared for a meeting of Carlisle City Council’s leadership reveals how funds secured from Persimmon Homes have been used.

The schedule of decisions taken by officers informs the council executive that a £57,815.96 contribution to the city was made by Persimmon Homes on February 15, 2017.

Carlisle City Council received the funds as part of a Section 106 agreement to build a residential development on land off Cumwhinton Road.

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A Section 106 agreement requires housebuilders to contribute funds to the community or a certain number of affordable homes and bungalows, in exchange for planning permission.

The report states that the funds were designed to be utilised for the improvement of sports facilities at Dale End Field.

And the Healthy City Team has already used £16,569.15 of the contribution to support the construction of a small BMX track on the site.

The officer’s report reads: "The remaining budget is to be used to carry out a significant refurbishment to the existing multi-use games area (MUGA) at Dale End Field."

Installed in 2014, the games area is well used year-round and has seen some corrosion in the steel posts which support the sports fencing.

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Council officers conducted investigations into the viability of replacing parts of the equipment but found it would be more cost effective to completely replace the MUGA fencing as the original manufacturer is no longer in business.

Remaining funding of £41,246.81 now needs to be added to the council’s capital programme, ready for purchase orders to be placed.

'Hammonds Pond improvements'

A sum of £445,713.74 received from Story Homes on January 24, 2020 following the approval of a residential development off Durdar Road will be used for improvements at Hammonds Pond.

£205,960.57 is earmarked for footpath improvements; £12,657.00 for CCTV and security, £52,508.01 for landscaping and drainage improvements and £174,588.16 for improvements to recreation facilities.

The report reads: "The Healthy City Team intends to use these funds in a phased approach to deliver high quality, community driven improvements across Hammonds Pond to benefit both the residents of the existing local area and those of the new Ridings estate."