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Guidelines for the
Wye Valley AONB Sustainable Development Fund (SDF)
First steps
These guidelines are to help you with your application for grant aid to the Sustainable
Development Fund (SDF) for the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
Please read them in conjunction with the ‘Notes to assist applications.’ The application form
is available in paper or electronic format. Before filling in the application form you are
strongly advised to discuss your ideas with AONB staff to ensure that you and your project
are eligible for funding. Details of how to get in touch with the Wye Valley AONB Unit are at
the end of these guidelines, on the application form and available on
www.wyevalleyaonb.org.uk.
What is the Sustainable Development Fund?
The Sustainable Development Fund (SDF) provides an exceptional opportunity to apply
for grant aid for innovative, sustainable projects, which involve local communities in Areas of
Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs). AONBs are nationally important landscapes,
designated for their spectacular scenic beauty. The SDF for the Wye Valley AONB is
delivered by the AONB Unit located in Monmouth. In Wales the SDF has been set up by the
Welsh Government and co-ordinated by the Countryside Council for Wales whereas in
England it is managed on behalf of Defra.
What is the purpose of the Fund?
The Sustainable Development Fund (SDF) aims, through partnership, to develop and test
ways of achieving a more sustainable way of living in a landscape of great natural beauty
and diversity. The Fund is primarily for practical, innovative schemes that engage local
communities. The Sustainable Development Fund seeks to conserve and enhance the local
characteristics of wildlife, landscape, land use and community. Sustaining the social wellbeing and economic viability of communities are also important aims of SDF. The projects
that will be supported are those which meet the statutory purpose of Areas of Outstanding
Natural Beauty (AONBs), which is:
To conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the Area of Outstanding Natural
Beauty.
‘Natural beauty’ is defined in legislation as including flora, fauna and geological and
physiographical features (s.92(2) of the CROW Act 2000) and cultural heritage (s.59(1)) of
NERC Act 2006) which can make an appreciable contribution to an area‘s sense of place
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and thereby heighten the perception of natural beauty. Land is not prevented from being
treated as of natural beauty by the fact that it is used for agriculture, or woodlands, or as a
park, or that its physiographical features are partly the product of human intervention in the
landscape (s.99 of NERC Act).
Objectives of the SDF
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To explore ways of simultaneously pursuing the principles of sustainability whilst
overcoming any obstacles to sustainability.
To develop models for the sustainable management of the countryside that could
be applied more widely in England and Wales.
To generate greater awareness and understanding of sustainability
To integrate sustainable development with the Special Qualities of the AONB (as
identified in the AONB Management Plan), and demonstrate the contribution of a
strong sense of place and local identity to sustainable living.
To build capacity in local communities and to develop and support communitybased projects promoting sustainable development objectives.
What is sustainability?
Sustainability is about balancing environmental, social and economic requirements, so that
our present needs can be met without compromising the ability of future generations to
adequately meet their own needs.
The principles of sustainability can be expressed in various ways, including social progress
that recognises the needs of everyone; effective protection of the environment; prudent use
of natural resources, whilst maintaining high and stable levels of economic growth and
employment.
How much money is available?
Up to £90,000 will be available in the financial year 2012/13 and £85,000 in 2013/14. in the
Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The financial year starts on 1 st
April but applications can be received in the January for funds for the following financial year.
Applications can be for small grants of less than £1,000 or larger grants of up to £25,000. If
a project is for a period of more than one year an application can cover two or more financial
years. However, projects in any one year must submit a claim for their grant by 11 th
February.
Who can apply for funding?
The scheme is available to any organisation including community or voluntary groups, local
authorities, as well as the private sector and individuals. The private sector and individuals
must demonstrate that their projects have a wider public benefit. The proposed project must
meet the purpose of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the objectives of the scheme
and be located in or have direct benefit to the Wye Valley AONB. Your project must comply
with any relevant regulatory requirements e.g. planning permission, building regulations etc.
Priority will be given to projects which:
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Demonstrate innovation or best practice.
Involve local communities and young people and/or encourage social inclusion.
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Lever in contributions from other sources in cash or in kind or conversely have overriding
merit in terms of sustainability but do not have access to alternative funding
Overcome barriers to sustainability and promote a wider understanding of sustainability.
Promote sustainable forms of social and economic development or add value to existing
sustainability projects. For example:
Secure a sustainable future for locally important services.
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Support community based sustainable transport initiatives designed to
reduce the carbon footprint.
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Support sustainable food marketing and the promotion and consumption
of local produce
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Support sustainable visitor transport initiative, including access to visitor
hot spots.
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Support communities to reduce their carbon footprint
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Promote the sustainable use of water resources, through the support of
projects designed to promote access to water.
Raise awareness of AONBs and generate jobs or income for local communities, without
damaging the landscape.
Examples of projects, which may be funded by SDF:
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Schools projects – such as the management of grounds for wildlife; energy, waste, and
traffic reduction initiatives
Incorporation of locally sourced materials renewable energy, or energy efficiency
components, and or the use of traditional building skills into the design of public or
communal buildings
Transport projects to reduce car use and improve health by increased activity
Enhancement of village open spaces for local use (e.g. community activities) and wildlife
and/or restoration of historic features e.g. village pond, community orchard or traditional
boundaries
Community projects which conserve the elements of culture and social well-being e.g.
film club, local heritage exhibitions
Training programmes to safeguard traditional skills through modern apprenticeship, skills
exchange e.g. hedge laying, stone walling, conservation management
Feasibility research and/or the development of innovative products and initiatives such as
renewable/green energy schemes.
Grants and grant rates:
The scheme can offer:
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Project grants;
Management grants to support staff however, there should be a
presumption to funding outcomes rather than supporting core
organisational costs;
Development grants to provide a catalyst for new action or partnerships
The scheme will normally provide 50% of the total project costs but possibly more in
some exceptional circumstances.
However, any partnership involving local
authorities will only be funded at a maximum of 50%.
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These figures include an element of up to 10% for appropriate overheads.
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Applicants will be expected to provide at least 25% of the total project costs, either
from their own funds or those of others e.g.:
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Private sector funds;
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‘In kind’ contributions such as officer time or loan of equipment;
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Other grant funds;
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European Funds like Objective 1 or RDP;
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Lottery Funding.
The source of any match funding should be clearly identified to avoid the possibility
of double funding.
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Volunteer time is costed £50 per day or £6:25 per hour for unskilled volunteers.
Skilled volunteers are costed £100 per day or £12:50 per hour. Specialist, technical
or professional volunteers are costed £300 per day or £37:50 per hour.
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Two paper copies and an electronic copy of any reports, feasibility studies, leaflets
and publications to be given to the Wye Valley AONB Unit where these are funded.
These costs can be budgeted for in an application.
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Payments will normally be paid in the following ratio:
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50% on confirmation of acceptance (appropriate to each financial
year)
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A further stage payment of 25% at the discretion of the AONB
Community Links Officer and
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The remainder on completion of project (appropriate to each financial
year).
How are projects assessed?
Applications will be assessed by the SDF Assessment Panel; a panel of local people made
up of representatives from the public, private and voluntary sectors nominated by the Wye
Valley AONB Joint Advisory Committee. The Assessment Panel will assess the project
based on whether it meets the aims, objectives and priorities of SDF, which are set out in
these guidelines, and that it meets all the core criteria and how well it meets the
environmental, community, economic and cultural criteria described in detail in the ‘Notes to
assist applicants’ and for you to answer Questions 8 and 9.
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How and when to apply
You are advised to discuss your ideas with the Wye Valley AONB staff before applying.
Then fill in the application form, using the notes provided. Attach any supporting information,
which will help the Assessment Panel when they consider your application. The Community
Links Officer will let you know if the information you provide is suitable and if you need to
supplement it. Once you are satisfied that you have provided all the relevant information
please send your application to the address provided at the end of these guidelines.
The Assessment Panel particularly welcome relevant photographs of project sites, and
would expect further photographs to be taken during and after the project by successful
applicants.
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There are no set dates for submission of applications. The Community Links Officer will
inform you of the next Assessment Panel meeting, and when to submit your application. As
the financial year progresses the money available for projects will decrease as allocations
are made, therefore early application is advisable. If you are proposing a new project then
you should not commence work until you have received a decision from the Assessment
Panel as to whether your application has been successful.
Contact details:
Sarah Sawyer
AONB Community Links Officer
Wye Valley AONB
Hadnock Road
Monmouth
NP25 3NG
Tel: 01600 710844
E-mail:[email protected]
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The Wye Valley AONB
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