Some of Suffolk’s most loved, historic landmarks as well as projects that will improve accessibility and inclusivity are among ten organisations to receive more than £15,000 in grant funding, bringing the total to more than £300,000.
The Coast & Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Amenity and Accessibility Fund aims to improve the environment and natural character of the area by awarding grants to projects that conserve habitats and species and improve sustainable access to the area. For the 2022-23 funding year, a total of £15,251.15 from the Amenity and Accessibility Fund was awarded to ten projects.
Butley Ferry were awarded £2,863.17 to renovate the 50+ year old ferry to increase its service life, improve buoyancy and its general appearance, whilst a new micro-generator for Woodbridge Tide Mill has been funded to help demonstrate electricity generation from hydropower.
Improving accessibility within the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is a key ongoing priority. RSPB Hollesley Marshes were awarded funding to replace the steps leading up the existing viewing platform at RSPB Hollesley Marshes with a ramp made from recycled plastic.
Other projects supported by the fund are a pond dipping project, accessible activities for SEND students (children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities), Art projects and workshops, including a project that uses photography and storytelling to explore the global environmental crisis from a Suffolk viewpoint, in addition to bursary places at Suffolk SketchFest 2022, a 3-day celebration of sketching the maritime heritage & wildlife of the river Deben.
Waveney Bird Club have received funding for Phase 1 of a project that will design and build a Swift Tower structure to be designed by a renowned local sculptor, whilst the Woodbridge Riverside Trust have been awarded funding to improve lighting in the John Gibbins Gallery, which will be used for a range of community events.
Friends of Hollesley School were awarded a grant to create a forest school area within the school grounds for the children. EDF, providers of the grant funding, are further supporting Hollesley School with the Sizewell ‘Helping Hands Programme’ with 25 workers from Sizewell B assisting with decking, removing old fencing, and general clearance work making the area ready for the forest school.
Funding for the Amenity and Accessibility Fund is provided by EDF, with an initial one-off payment of £120,000 made when construction of a Dry Fuel Store (DFS) for spent nuclear fuel at Sizewell B power station began, in addition to further annual payments by EDF of £20,000. The total awarded to local projects now exceeds £300,000.
You can find out more about the Amenity and Accessibility Fund, and all the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’s grants at www.suffolkcoastandheaths.org/managing.
