Record breaking year for Exmoor sustainability

Exmoor National Park is set for a thriving green future with social and economic benefits resulting from environmental conservation with a range of projects funded through the Exmoor National Park Sustainable Development Fund following a record breaking year during 2009/10.

As a result of a recent meeting of the independent grant advisory panel two final projects were awarded funding for this financial year. Dulverton Town Council was awarded £20,000 towards their 10 year ambition to under ground the visually intrusive over head cables within the town which acts as the southern gateway to the National Park and is a designated conservation area. In the second application £5,000 was awarded to Energy Action Devon towards their innovative renovation of two houses in Barbrook let by North Devon Homes as social housing. The funding will go towards the use of local Exmoor timber in the ambitious plans to retro fit sustainability elements into the existing buildings using the PassivHaus standard. It is estimated the innovative project which will act as a demonstration could reduce the carbon footprint of the houses by up to 94% using a range of energy efficiency measures alongside generating the small amounts of energy required from renewable sources.

These latest grant offers come towards the end of a busy year for the fund which aims to support the sustainable development of new and innovative ways of living and working within the National Park. A record 32 grants have been offered funding totalling over £265,000 and securing an additional estimated £2.43million to the local economy through match funding.

This year a new record was also set regarding the number of small grants of less than £2,500 being awarded covering 19 projects and nearly 60% of all successful applications. Such projects included facilities for disabled sailors at Wimbleball Lake, support for the innovative Moor Rover transport scheme, restoring a community orchard in Porlock, assisting every school in Exmoor to achieve Eco School green flag accreditation, installing the first solar panel on a church in the South west at Cutcombe and many more.

“This year has been a particularly successful year for the Sustainable Development fund” commented Dan James, Sustainable Economy Officer for Exmoor National Park Authority. “Our aim is to support projects that can positively contribute to the communities, environment and economy of the National Park and this year we’ve been delighted to be able to support such a range brought forward by businesses, communities, charities and others who are seeking to meet the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in embracing more sustainable ways of living. It has been especially pleasing to be able to support so many smaller projects which go a long way to demonstrating that every effort counts no matter how small or large.”

Although funding for this financial year is fully committed project ideas are being invited as the fund is set to continue from April 2010. Full details can be obtained from www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk/sustainability. The final date for full applications is 15 March.

The National Park Authority is also looking to recruit new members to the independent advisory panel who meet quarterly to make funding recommendations to the Authority on applications of £2,500 or above.

For further information on applying for a grant or to serve on the panel please contact Dan James on 01398 322234 or email dtjames@exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk