More than £2.2 million raised from developers building homes in Alton is being pumped into improving the town.

As part of the planning process house builders must make financial contributions towards upgrading local infrastructure.

These contributions are collected by East Hampshire District Council and are made available to community groups that have seen development in their area.

Community Infrastructure Levy funding totalling £2,276,912.81 was approved when the council’s cabinet met last Thursday night.

The Allen Gallery and Garden will receive £450,000 towards its redevelopment plans, while £400,000 will be spent on improvements to the junction of New Odiham Road and Basingstoke Road.

There is £305,000 for an extension of Edgar Hall and £153,023.81 for the Alton Community Hub,  

The Alton Railway Station Active Travel Mobility Hub will receive £192,650 while £22,000 will help create a brewery heritage trail.

Treloar’s will get £50,000 for an electric minibus, the Nurture Group at Anstey Junior School will receive £35,483 and there is £668,756 for an upgrade of Alton Community Centre, 

Another £597,548.85 has been allocated to Alton’s surrounding villages.

There will be £150,000 for active travel access improvements at Bentley railway station, £60,000 for the Bentworth Primary School landscape plan and £330,000 for an extension to the Boundaries GP surgery in Four Marks,  

Two projects at Ropley Primary School will receive funding. There is £25,000 for outside canopies to provide additional teaching space and £32,548.85 to create a wildlife and spiritual garden, 

Regulation and enforcement portfolio holder Cllr Angela Glass said: “New homes built in East Hampshire provide money that can be put towards improving the local infrastructure. 

“This year we have allocated money to a fantastically diverse range of schemes designed to offset the impact that development has on our communities.”