Funding is available to support projects that bring environmental, social, economic benefits to the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
Over the last year grants totalling £46768 have been awarded to 11 projects. The projects include a nature trail at Barton Camp, the International Dormouse conference that took place at Shipham, East Harptree Village Shop, the Hawk and Owl Trust Community owls project, Avon and Somerset Constabulary Cheddar valley Horsewatch scheme, Avon Wildlife Trusts Living Landscape project and Bracken Burn a project to develop bracken as a biofuel. Grants ranged in size from £300 to £12,000.
The Mendip Hills AONB Sustainable Development Fund Panel meets several times during the year to consider applications. The next deadline for consideration of applications is 24th November. The Panel will meet on 11th December to consider applications received by this date.
We encourage applications from all sectors of the community including business, local groups, individuals and national organisations. Projects must link with the aims of the AONB Management Plan said Sarah Jackson AONB Manager.
If you would like to discuss a project with a view to obtaining grant, please contact either Sarah Jackson or Gail Graham at the Mendip Hills AONB Service 01761 462338.
All the documents you need to apply are listed below. Completed Application Forms can be emailed or posted back to us. Please do not submit handwritten applications.
The Sustainable Development Fund supports projects that bring social, environmental and economic benefits to the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). It aims to develop and test new methods of achieving a more sustainable way of life in this area of beauty and diversity.
The SDF provides grants to organisations, businesses, community groups and individuals who wish to explore and develop practical projects that conserve and develop the environment, economy and way of life.
"Sustainable development will promote and enhance the environmental, economic and community well-being of the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and ensure a better quality of life for everyone, now and for generations to come."
Achieving sustainable development requires working towards four goals at the same time:
Social progress which meets the needs of everyone
Effective protection of the environment
Ensuring a diverse and prosperous rural economy
Careful use of natural resources
Individual projects can place particular emphasis on any one of the four goals. Ideally, they should seek to make progress on all of them, but demonstrate no negative impact on any.
For more information on types of eligible projects, who can apply and how we assess applications see the SDF Information Sheet.
All the documents you need to apply are listed below. Completed Application Forms can be emailed or posted back to us. Please do not submit handwritten applications.
Minutes of the most recent meeting of the Grant Panel are here and archived minutes can be found here
