Sustainable Development Fund (SDF) projects For Wales ... and England too.

Partners:

  • Wye Valley AONB
  • Welsh Assembly Government
  • Countryside Council for Wales (CCW)
  • Natural England
  • Defra
  • Local groups

Sustainable Development Grant aid is available in both England and Wales to support innovative and sustainable projects involving local communities within Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The grants are delivered by the AONB Unit, but set up in Wales by the Welsh Assembly Government and co-ordinated by the Countryside Council for Wales, in England by Defra and co-ordinated by Natural England.

How Much? In the 2008/9 financial year, the AONB Unit will have funds available for a variety of projects. Applications are already being considered and the grants do have to be match-funded.

Six of the Best - the latest projects

Monmouthshire Meadows Exmoor ponies grazing in the Monmouthshire Meadows project
A project organised by Monmouthshire Meadows Group to protect valuable meadows and grasslands which are at constant risk of invasion by scrub and bracken was funded. The group now owns and lets out hardy native Exmoor ponies, designed to graze tough grass, bracken and scrubs. They also help landowners find funding for fences and gates.
Locations: Trellech, Monmouthshire

‘Once in a Lifetime’ Gerald Harris , carpenter working on the Organ Gallery Screen
 The replacement of a historic Organ Gallery and Screen in St Peter’s Church, Dixton, has become something of a labour of love for local carpenter Gerald Harris. Replacing the gallery, thought to have been in existence until 1860, has involved a year of painstaking design and craftsmanship using locally sourced English Oak.
Locations: St Peter's Church, Dixton, Monmouthshire

Pond Restoration: Girl examining jar of water during pond dipping
Ponds are disappearing at an alarming rate – drying out and vanishing. A plan by Herefordshire Amphibian and Reptile Team (HART) to survey and restore five Herefordshire ponds and create community pond groups to look after them in the futurehas been funded. This project aims to celebrate ponds, return them to their original viability and encourage local communities to adopt them and give ponds a future.

Locations: Ross on Wye; Easton Bishop; Staunton-on-Wye; Madley and Holme Lacy.

Coppett Hill and Goodrich Walks booklet:Goodrich village view from Coppett Hill

The the Coppett Hill and Goodrich walking guides, produced by the Coppett Hill Common Trust have already proved exceptionally popular. As one of the largest commons in Herefordshire and a storehouse of heritage, history and wildlife, a properly designed walking guide and interpretation detailing information about the area was needed
Location:Coppett Hill, Goodrich, Welsh Bicknor

Whitebrook Conservation Group:
An archive of the village, bringing to light recollections of the former school, pub and industry and culminating in a book, booklet and DVDs.
Location: Whitebrook, Monmouthshire
 

Solar Powered Loos:
Helping fund the building of a solar powered toilet and shower block by the banks of the Wye in the Forestry Commission's remote Biblins campsite. The structure will use locally cut wood, be concealed in the landscape using earth banks and will be covered in a 'sedum' turf roof.
Location: The Doward, Herefordshire

How to Apply

If you are involved in a project in the AONB, which might qualify for SDF funding, e-mail community@wyevalleyaonb.org.uk for details of how to apply or read our Help for Community Projects page.

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