A growing East Hampshire school has made a grade start to the year after getting a £100k funding boost.

Selborne Primary School has been given the funding by the South Downs National Park Authority for an extension to improve its after-school club.

The handout is the largest of 12 given to various projects locally ranging from a £4,000 tree planting scheme at Hollycombe Primary School to £75,000 for improved access to the Meon Valley Trail.

The funding has come from the Community Instructure Levy which developers pay into after getting planning permission.

It is a truth not-so universally acknowledged that £30,000 has been given towards the walled garden at Chawton House in Jane Austen’s 250th birthday year, while £20,000 is going to open space and highway improvements in Cheriton.

East Hampshire features prominently with £75,000 going towards access and toilet improvements at Petersfield Heath, £30,000 being splashed out on the installation of a Changing Places toilet at Queen Elizabeth Country Park and £15,000 going to highways and open spaces in Rowlands Castle.

East Meon is getting £50,000 for byway improvements and Butser’s butterflies are getting a £40,000 lift with extra funding to improve an area of precious chalk grassland.

Across the border in West Sussex, Northchapel Sports Club is getting £20,000 towards the installation of a multi-use games area and £3,000 is going to parish improvements in Stedham with Iping.

“As we begin 2025 and enter the national park’s 15th year, it’s wonderful to share this good news,” said the SNDPA’s chair, Vanessa Rowlands, with £1.9million being handed out altogether.

“The Community Infrastructure Levy is an important element of our role as a planning authority and we know it can make a real difference to local communities, encouraging them to prosper and benefitting future generations.”