How to apply for NSIP community benefit grants

NSIPs can bring local benefits, but they can also cause disruption and concern for nearby communities. To help with this, many developers make community grants available, designed to benefit the economy, society and/or the local environment. We recognise that the process needs to be made as simple as possible, so that local and parish councils can work together effectively and make sure that residents' voices are heard.

What community benefits funding is available for NSIPs?

There are a range of benefits grants available, depending on the type of project. Offered voluntarily by developers, these include cash payments that go towards community funds, investments in local amenities, support for education and skills, or even practical benefits like donating equipment or services that the community needs. 

How to find NSIP community grants and funding opportunities

Anyone can find out more about grants and project-related funding by engaging with an NSIP consultations, and once finalised by the developer, the benefits should also be locally advertised and searchable online.

You can find a list of all of the current NSIPs in Suffolk here and the individual websites listed will have details of any funds that developers are making available for local communities.

Examples of some of the grants that are available for NSIPs in Suffolk:

A woman with grey hair wears dungarees, and standing behind tables set up with gardening items on the tops. Children and a couple of adults looking at the items. The setting looks like a large greenhouse.

Tips for making a strong NSIP funding application

Engage early with developers: the best time to influence community benefits is during the pre-application stage. This is the stage where the formal dialogue and exhibitions will happen, and where developers will be consulting the local community.

Use Local Impact Reports to support your case: find out if your district or county council has produced a Local Impact Report (LIR) for the project. This will help you find out about any expected impacts (like noise or traffic). As community benefits may be ai to mitigate these impacts, this information can strengthen your application. 

Show how the project affects your community: the NSIP planning process aims to weigh local impacts against national needs. If you want to make a strong case for a grant, you will have to be very clear about how the project affects your community.

Using evidence to support your application: good applications are evidence‑led. You can reference data from SODA, alongside local evidence gathered through surveys and other consultation activities. This should describe the groups served, how services are delivered, and how the council understands local need.

A group of young girls are playing football - some wear red and white uniforms, the others wear black andwhite stripes.

Inclusion and balancing community needs: applicants should show how projects are inclusive and avoid unintentionally excluding certain groups. But where a scheme benefits one group more than another, for example a new playing field that mainly serves children and families rather than dog walkers, this should be acknowledged. The application should explain how impacts are balanced, such as by improving nearby walking routes, providing alternative spaces or delivering complementary initiatives.

Align with the funder’s objectives: clearly show how your proposed project aligns with the funder’s priorities. Explain why the proposal is a good strategic fit and demonstrate that all relevant policies and procedures are already in place. Developing a short council business plan can be helpful, even if informal, as it sets out ambitions, priorities and how the project supports longer‑term community goals.

Ask the local community: consult local people and ask them for their views. Use local knowledge to explain how the development could affect the area and the people who live there. This can also help shape your grant application.

Collaborate with neighbouring councils and organisations: small community organisations and parish councils can work together to draft a joint application. Applications from multiple parishes or charities are often more effective than competing or separate applications. Plus, you can share the workload, advise each other and pool helpful data.

 Smal clumps of seagrass is blowing in the wind, on a low sand dune with the beach and sea in the background. The sky is blue.

Biodiversity Net Gain: NSIPs are required to deliver biodiversity net gain, so you can link this requirement to your desired local outcomes. This could include greener and more attractive public spaces, improved habitats, or opportunities for volunteering, learning and wellbeing. Demonstrating how environmental improvements directly benefit residents can significantly strengthen an application. Look at this case study about Saxmundham Town Council’s approach to mitigation for an NSIP (please note this example was not for a grant funding application).

Defining success: a strong application will clearly describe what success looks like and how it will be measured. Councils should explain how the project supports growth, resilience or wellbeing, and set out any match funding, including the use of Community Infrastructure Levy or Section 106 monies. Funders will also look for proposals that create opportunities for further development and deliver clear benefits to hard‑to‑reach groups, ensuring long‑term value for the community.


Get advice and support: councils and organisations in Suffolk can ask for advice on engaging with developers by contacting the SCC NSIP Team at NSIPs@suffolk.gov.uk. Or you can contact SALC via the Members Portal or email engagement@suffolk-alc.gov.uk.

 


Working together on NSIPs: its benefits and step-by-step guide