Kensington Chelsea Redirects Infrastructure Funds, Affecting Notting Hill Projects

The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea council approved revisions to its Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy allocation policy on 7 July 2026. The changes alter how funds collected from new developments are divided between borough-wide priorities and neighbourhood-level projects in areas such as Notting Hill.

The update follows the council's 2025-2026 budget review, which recorded £4.2 million in CIL receipts from developments across the borough. Local government officers stated the revisions aim to align spending more closely with the adopted Local Plan priorities published in 2024.

Effects on Notting Hill Services

Under the revised policy, 25 per cent of neighbourhood CIL funds will now be directed first to transport and drainage improvements along Portobello Road and adjacent residential streets before other community bids are considered. Residents who rely on weekly market access or daily commuting routes through these streets will see the first projects scheduled for tender in the 2027 financial year.

Local advocates note that community groups previously funded for small-scale park upgrades at Avondale Park may need to submit new applications under tighter criteria. The legislation states that bids must demonstrate direct contribution to adopted infrastructure targets rather than standalone amenity works.

The council's published allocation table shows Notting Hill's share of neighbourhood CIL averaged £312,000 per year between 2022 and 2025. Policy analysts say the new weighting could reduce discretionary grants by approximately 15 per cent in the coming cycle while increasing spending on statutory highways work.

Further consultation meetings are scheduled for September 2026 at the Notting Hill Methodist Church hall. The government says the policy will be reviewed after 18 months using data from the borough's annual infrastructure funding statement.