Grants for communities affected by quarrying

COMMUNITIES affected by quarrying - including a number in the Yorkshire Dales - are being invited to apply for grants designed to offset the impact of the industry.

The North Yorkshire Aggregates Grants Scheme can provide grants of up to £30,000 to North Yorkshire communities affected by quarries involved in the extraction of sand, gravel and crushed rock.

The Scheme offers communities, organisations, private landholders and local councils the opportunity to implement a range of community and environmental projects that compensate local communities for the impacts of aggregates extraction.

Eligible projects include the restoration of land to beneficial use for historic interest or that provide, improve, repair or maintain a public amenity. Also eligible are projects that restore land for biodiversity, and the conservation of biodiversity following damage caused by aggregates extraction.

Projects must be located in areas that suffer from the impact of aggregate extraction, have clear public benefits, involve or have the support of the voluntary or community sector, and be additional to the responsibilities of quarry operators. Grants can cover up to 75% of the cost of the approved works. Applications for projects up to £5,000 may be fully funded.

Bob Sydes, North Yorkshire County Council's Heritage and Environment Manager, said: "I've been impressed by the range and quality of projects that have received funding over the past two years and I am delighted that we are able to offer the new grant scheme to support worthwhile projects that will make a real difference to local communities and areas affected by quarrying."

With income generated through the Aggregates Levy, the North Yorkshire Strategic Partnership has provided £287,000 for projects in 2007/08. The Aggregates Levy was introduced by the Government in 2002 to reduce demand for primary aggregates by making them more costly and make the use of recycled and secondary materials more viable.

The Scheme is being administered by the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust.

Expressions of interest must be received by 1st June 2007. Projects will then be assessed and successful ones will be invited to complete a full application for submission by 29th June 2007. Projects must be completed by 31 March 2008.

Application packs are available by contacting YDMT on 015242 51002.