Fund of up to £7 million will boost access to nature and support rural communities across England to become more green-fingered
Community orchards, kitchen gardens, and natural play areas are set to spring up across rural England thanks to a new government fund unveiled today (23 March).
The new Community Green Spaces Fund will provide up to £7 million of funding to support communities across the country - from Northumberland to Cornwall - to create, restore and enhance their green spaces.
Grants of up to £75,000 will be provided to help communities to plant fruits, vegetables and trees, creating orchards and kitchen gardens for all to access and enjoy. Landscaping projects could also create raised beds and improve areas to plant different flowers around village hall facilities and other community green spaces, making space for pollinators and nature to thrive.
Funding will also be awarded to support the expansion of natural play facilities which encourage children to spend more time outdoors, in addition to projects which focus on improving access to green spaces such as new paths and seating. To make the spaces more accessible to disabled people, funding will also be available for the creation of disabled parking spaces.
The announcement supports the government’s ambition that no-one should live no more than a 15-minute walk from a green space, a commitment set out in our Environment Improvement Plan.
Posted On: 25/03/2024
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