Since its launch last August the Greater Quantock Landscape Development Fund has awarded nearly £12,000 to 6 projects which will enhance the landscape in and around the Quantock Hills.
The fund has been provided by EDF Energy and is part of the mitigation measures associated with the Hinkley Point C development.
Funding is on a first-come, first-served basis and projects could include tree planting, works to manage hedgerows, orchard planting or restoration, planting of wildflower meadows, management of small woodlands, willow pollarding or pond restoration. There are also opportunities for funding for restoration of heritage features, such as dry stone walls.
To date the fund has grant aided three projects which are restoring key hedgerows, one at East Quantoxhead, one at Aisholt and one at Broomfield. Another project will reinstate an orchard near Spaxton and include a small wildflower planting.
A farm near Holford is converting over two hectares of arable land to wildflower meadow, which will improve the landscape but also improve the habitat for key pollinator species such as bees. The final project is restoration of a small woodland in Aisholt, where the owner will be removing invasive species such as laurel and planting up native tree species to be bring the woodland back into favourable condition.
There is still funding available and the next funding round deadline is 7th April 2015. If you have a project idea please visit www.quantockhills.com
The next 2 application deadlines are:
7th April 2015
21st June 2015