Lewisham residents are being given control over how funds taxed from developers are spent to benefit the community through a new scheme.

The Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) is a community funding programme that puts money collected from developers towards improving local infrastructure.

Over the next six weeks, residents have the chance to influence how Lewisham's £2.3million funding pot is spent by submitting their priorities on an interactive map.

Residents' contributions will be discussed at local community meetings and a final list of priorities will be published a voted on.

Damien Egan, Mayor of Lewisham, said: "For too long residents have felt that they do not have a say over the changes happening in their community.

"Our new approach will not only give residents the power to vote to decide where the new investment goes but also see more money invested in our most deprived areas.

"After almost a decade of austerity, we need to find innovative and new ways to protect residents and support our communities.

"I am proud that Lewisham is leading the way in ensuring that residents have their say over how money raised from developers is spent in their local area."