A discretionary grant fund is available from the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority for environmental projects that benefit the parishes of:
• Austwick
• Clapham cum Newby
• Giggleswick
• Halton Gill
• Horton-in-Ribblesdale
• Langcliffe
• Lawkland
• Malham Moor
• Settle
• Stainforth
The source of this Fund is money obtained from Tarmac due to a Section 106 Planning Agreement in connection with planning permission C/04/609B for the deepening of Dry Rigg Quarry and extension of time allowed for the winning and working of limestone until 2034 (restoration to be completed by 2035).
The aim of the Natural Environment Fund is to improve biodiversity and quality of the natural environment within the locality of Dry Rigg Quarry (see Map) or which compensate for the actual or potential environmental impacts of the quarrying, with particular emphasis on the natural beauty of the landscape, tranquillity and air quality and riverine environment within the locality.
If you are interested in applying for a grant, please contact YDNPA’s Wildlife Conservation Team to discuss your project and its costs before completing an application form.
e-mail: wildlifeconservation@yorkshiredales.org.uk
Tel: 01756 751627 (if you cannot get through on this line, please leave a message with your contact details with Grassington Main Office switchboard on 01756 751600)
What can be funded?
- Habitat management, creation or restoration
- Protecting features of landscape and wildlife value
- Community-led environmental initiatives
The following is a list of items that can be funded. The list is not exhaustive and it is at the discretion of the Fund as to whether any items on the list can be funded in particular circumstances:
- Tools for community groups/projects;
- Materials (e.g. fence posts)
- Plants and/or seed (but only of regional or local origin)
- Contractors
- Management plans and specialist surveys
- Survey equipment (e.g. ID books, nets, hand lenses, etc.)
- Items to enable community groups to satisfy health and safety requirements (e.g. training, first aid equipment, safety items, protective clothing.)
We won’t normally fund
- Applications relating to places outside the Fund area, unless a clear benefit for the locality can be demonstrated
- The cost of preparing or submitting applications for statutory consents
- Repeat applications where a project is substantially the same as one previously funded
- Retrospective applications or items where costs have already been incurred
Fund Profile
In any one financial year the Natural Environment Fund will seek to fund projects to a total value of approximately £35,000. Typically, the spilt will be ten ‘Small Grants’ of up to £2.5k each and one to two ‘Medium Grants’ to a total of about £10k. ‘Large Grants’ of over £10k can be awarded in exceptional circumstances where very significant environmental or community benefits can be demonstrated.
For Small Grants we will normally aim to make a decision within six weeks of receiving the application. Deciding applications for Medium/Large grants will take a little longer. If you are successful in obtaining a grant, we will write to you and ask you to confirm you accept the grant before the project starts.