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£600,000 Worth of Projects Made Possible Through Sustainable Development Fund

Tuesday, 14th August 2007

The Sustainable Development Fund, accessed through the Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) team, has awarded grants of £54,000 which, in turn, will bring in a total project spend of more than £600,000 into the local community during 2007/08.

The Fund was created for AONBs in 2005 to encourage individuals, community groups and businesses to work together to develop practical and sustainable solutions to the management of their activities.

Now in its third year, the Tamar Valley AONB had hoped to access £100,000 from Natural England to allocate in 2007/08 but this was reduced due to a national reduction in protected landscape funding.

Forty-two projects applied for funding from the Tamar Valley AONB - successful applicants demonstrated sustainable development, significant match funding, involved and supported local communities and helped to deliver the AONB Management Plan and other strategies. Projects from first time applicants that were innovative and those that couldn't be funded easily through normal channels were given particular priority. Twenty-nine projects were granted funding, with a total commitment of just under £54,000. Total project spend in the area has been calculated at just over £600,000.

The range of projects supported include the enhancement of village halls, wildlife conservation projects (habitat creation, interpretation, site improvements), water-based recreation, advice for rural businesses and a number of exciting education based projects.

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