Plans to create a brand new youth and arts centre in Woodbridge have been boosted by £180k funding from Suffolk Coastal District Council.

The centre hopes to become a home for a number of the town’s community groups including Just 42 and the 1st Woodbridge Scouts.

The money was agreed upon by the council’s cabinet with funds to be drawn from what’s known as the community infrastructure levy or CIL.

CIL is a charge that local authorities can set on new developments, this money is then put into local infrastructure projects.

Jetty Lane’s allocated CIL funds will cover pre-construction costs for the planned development located near the River Deben, the application for which was submitted earlier this year.

Caroline Page, Chair of Jetty Lane CIC, said: “We are extremely grateful to Suffolk Coastal District Council for their generous response to our funding application.

“It is a great boost to the cause and guarantees that the money we raise from here-on-in will be spent on construction. Woodbridge is in desperate need of community space since the Woodbridge Youth Club was demolished in early 2017, leaving many local community, arts and youth initiatives homeless.

“As the town continues to expand with new housing developments, there is a greater need than ever to build a new space for community and local groups to thrive.”

Tony Fryatt, Suffolk Coastal’s cabinet member for planning said that it was important for the public to see the money being used.

“Communities are seeing the benefits as the Council are able to support worthwhile projects like this,” said Mr Fryatt.