Communities in Cheltenham affected by new developments can bid for a share of £124,000 to improve their neighbourhoods.

The money is available through the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), collected by Cheltenham Borough Council from developers as part of the normal planning process.

To ensure the money is spent in the right places, the council has created a CIL Neighbourhood Fund and panel to encourage people to to develop their bids.

Individuals, communities and ward councillors across non-parished areas have until April 30 to submit their application.

The money is intended to support community projects that have a social, environmental or economic objective in areas where development has taken place.

The funds are either held by the borough council or passed directly to parish councils.

Councillor Martin Horwood, member for customer and regulatory services, said: "Whether communities identify a need to tackle climate change or air pollution, reduce anti-social behaviour, enhance green spaces or biodiversity, promote safe play or something else they feel would benefit their neighbourhood, I would urge any interested individuals or organisations to make a bid.

"We're looking for exciting ideas from our neighbourhoods that can make a real difference."

To be considered, individuals, groups and organisations must show evidence, local views and aspirations for a neighbourhood area and the impact of new development on infrastructure.

Ward councillors can be contacted for bid writing information and support. Full details of what the Neighbourhood Fund CIL be spent on can be found online at Citizenspace.

An informal briefing and Q&A session will be scheduled for mid-February. To note your interest email communityservices@cheltenham.gov.uk

The 9 wards that are entirely non-parished and eligible are as follows:

All Saints

Benhall and the Reddings

College

Hesters Way

Lansdown

St Marks

St Pauls

St Peters

Springbank

The 7 wards that are partly non-parished and eligible are as follows:

Battledown

Charlton Park

Oakley

Park

Pittville

Swindon Village

Warden Hill