Sustainable Development Fund

The Sustainable Development Fund is available in both England and Wales to support innovative and sustainable projects involving local communities within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The grant is delivered by the Wye Valley AONB Unit, but set up in Wales by the Welsh Government and co-ordinated by the Countryside Council for Wales, and in England by Defra.

What is the purpose of the fund?
The Sustainable Development Fund (SDF) aims, through partnership, to develop and test ways of achieving a more sustainable way of living in a landscape of great natural beauty and diversity.

The Fund is primarily for practical, innovative schemes that engage local communities. The Sustainable Development Fund seeks to conserve and enhance the local characteristics of wildlife, landscape, land use and community.

Sustaining the social well-being and economic viability of communities are also important aims of SDF.

The projects that will be supported are those which meet the statutory purpose of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs), which is:
To conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

How much money is available?

Up to £90,000 will be available in the financial year 2012/13 and £85,000 in 2013/14.

Applications can be for small grants of less than £1,000 or larger grants of up to £25,000

Who can apply for funding?
The scheme is available to any organisation including community or voluntary groups, local authorities, as well as the private sector and individuals. The private sector and individuals must demonstrate that their projects have a wider public benefit.

The proposed project must meet the purpose of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the objectives of the scheme and be located in or have direct benefit to the Wye Valley AONB.

Your project must comply with any relevant regulatory requirements e.g. planning permission, building regulations etc.

Examples of projects, which may be funded by SDF:

Schools projects – such as the management of grounds for wildlife; energy, waste, and traffic reduction initiatives
Incorporation of locally sourced materials renewable energy, or energy efficiency components, and or the use of traditional building skills into the design of public or communal buildings
Transport projects to reduce car use and improve health by increased activity
Enhancement of village open spaces for local use (e.g. community activities) and wildlife and/or restoration of historic features e.g. village pond, community orchard or traditional boundaries
Community projects which conserve the elements of culture and social well-being e.g. film club, local heritage exhibitions
Training programmes to safeguard traditional skills through modern apprenticeship, skills exchange e.g. hedge laying, stone walling, conservation management
Feasibility research and/or the development of innovative products and initiatives such as renewable/green energy schemes.
Landscape Enhancement
The Sustainable Development Fund is able to support a range of Landscape Enhancement initiatives within the Wye Valley AONB. The grant can support works at a rate of 50% of the total cost of the works up to a maximum of £1,000.

The grant is aimed at small scale holdings, parish/community councils and community spaces, where biodiversity gains can engage and benefit those who live within the local environment.

Eligible works may include:

Orchard planting/gapping up
Hedgerow management
Dry-stone wall restoration
Life sustaining work to veteran trees
Pollarding, coppicing and activities relating to the promotion or conservation of biodiversity
Riparian tree management
Pond creation/restoration