Rural communities secure grant funding for energy efficiency and biodiversity projects

Parish and town councils in Bath and North East Somerset are set to benefit from £260,000 to help install energy-saving measures like solar panels and air-to-air source heat pumps.

Nine parishes have been awarded the money from the West of England Rural Fund, which is funded by the UK government through the Rural England Prosperity Fund, part of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Bath & North East Somerset Council and the West of England Mayoral Authority invited community groups to apply for grants of between £10,000 and £40,000 to carry out projects that will have a positive impact on the environment or biodiversity. Of the 16 applications received, nine were successful.

Farmborough Village Sport & Social will receive grant funding to install an air-to-air source heat pump heating system and hot water system in a refurbished building to reduce energy consumption.

Westfield Parish Council will receive funding to install a new footbridge to enhance and encourage public access to Grove Wood, Haydon Batch and Waterside Valley, allowing richer experiences of nature such as bat walks, foraging, hedge layering and mindfulness, green social prescribing.

Funding will be used to improve the energy efficiency and reduce the CO2 emissions of several village or community halls: East Harptree, and Bishop Sutton will have solar panels installed on the roof, Peasedown St John will benefit from solar panels and roof insulation and Compton Martin will have insulation added to the vaulted roof of the hall.

Other grants will go to Chelwood Parish Council to repair the village hall roof and insulate the building and to Chew Magna Old Schoolroom Charity to retrofit a room to help adapt to flooding events creating a place of safety with facilities and storage such as solar charged portable power packs and recycled rubber matting for seating children.

Image: Radstock town centre

Radstock Town Council will receive a grant to add wayfinding such as fingerposts, information boards and walking maps to make it easier to navigate the town centre and connect with local walking and cycling routes and strengthen biodiversity awareness.

Councillor Oli Henman, Cabinet Project Lead for Climate Emergency and Sustainable Travel, said: “Thank you to everyone who submitted applications for this grant. At a time when so many residents are asking what can be done to tackle climate change, this money will allow parishes to make a significant investment in local projects which help us tackle the climate and nature emergencies, with a focus on energy reduction, renewable energy and supporting biodiversity. The improvements will ensure the long-term sustainability of the many community buildings which are so important to our rural communities, they will also help to reduce CO2 emissions. Other projects will encourage people to enjoy the local walking, cycling and wheeling routes in their area.” 

Dan Norris, Mayor of the West of England, said: “Solar panels in East Harptree, and Bishop Sutton, heat pumps in Farmborough, retrofitting in Chelwood, and more - these are great people-powered local projects.

“We are reducing emissions, helping local groups save money on bills and supporting the planet and the animals and plants we share it with.

“Local communities are at the heart of the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority’s plans to slash emissions in the West as we fight back against the climate and nature emergencies.

“Bravo to the successful applicants.”

Delivery of the schemes will start later this year and they are due to be completed by 31 March 2025.