Communities, businesses and individuals in the Yorkshire Dales National Park are being invited to apply for funding in a last call for projects in 2009.

The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority’s Sustainable Development Fund (SDF) – now in its seventh year of operation – aims to support new business ideas, community schemes and environmental projects that demonstrate new ways of living and working in the Dales and that benefit the National Park and its communities.

To date, more than £1 million has been awarded to some 120 projects, large and small. In turn the funding has attracted more than £2.5 million of match funding to the area from a wide range of statutory, voluntary and charitable funding sources.

Moya Turrell, the National Park Authority’s Sustainable Development Officer, said: “The SDF is open to local businesses, groups and individuals. Applications from outside the National Park can also be considered as long as they show a clear benefit to the area. The closing date for this last round of 2009 grants is November 13.”

SDF has recently funded projects such as an air-source heat pump that provides renewable energy for the new headquarters of Ingleton scout group – due to be officially opened on Saturday (19 September).

Just down the road, Clapham Community Co-operative has received help to enable local people to combat climate change and the developing energy crisis through a variety of activities including computer equipment to conduct a carbon audit and fruit trees and bushes to establish a community orchard.

Support has also been given to local businesses producing locally-sourced produce, such as Sedbergh-based Laura’s Looms. With two grants from SDF, Laura has been able to develop and expand her business, creating high quality woven “Howgill Throws” using Bluefaced Leicester sheep fleece obtained from farms in Garsdale and Dentdale.

She is now selling them both locally and on the internet and more information can be obtained on her website at www.laurasloom.co.uk

The SDF is managed on behalf of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority by the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust. Any organisations, individuals or businesses wanting application forms and further details about SDF funding for 2009/10 should contact Isobel Hall on 015242 51002 or email her at isobel.hall@ydmt.org

Details and application forms are also available on the Authority website at www.yorkshiredales.org.uk