Fly fishing in a Peak District river

Looking After

How we work to look after the National Park, conservation, ranger services, biodiversity and policies.

News Release

01 July 2009

Grants help Peak District go green

The Peak District Sustainable Development Fund is giving thousands of pounds to community groups and businesses to develop renewable energy, organic gardening, energy efficiency and wildlife projects.

Its recent grants include:

  • £41,600 to Parwich Memorial Hall Committee to help develop its new village hall with renewable energy technology, including a ground source heat pump, solar thermal panels and rain-water harvesting
  • £12,500 to the South Yorkshire Energy Centre, to help train Peak District groups in energy efficiency and conservation for older buildings, many of which are listed - particularly houses, but also community halls and small business premises
  • £11,000 to Staffordshire Wildlife Trust to protect riverbanks on the River Churnet, controlling erosion and improving wildlife habitats - including possible engineered log-jams - near Severn Trent Water’s visitor centre at Tittesworth Reservoir
  • £7,100 to Peak Organics, an allotment-based project run by JJM Learning, to run organic gardening workshops for people to learn how to do it at home
  • £1,200 to Gradbach Youth Hostel, to investigate energy-saving measures and renewable energy schemes for three old mill buildings. It is also assessing hydro-power potential at the site - Gradbach aims to become a ‘Green Beacon’ hostel to lead the way for other YHA properties.

The Fund channels nearly £200,000 a year from the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs into environmental, educational and social projects across the Peak District. Its panel of local independent assessors decides on larger grant applications four times a year.

The Peak District National Park Authority, which manages the Fund, has just appointed a new panel chair, Harry Bowell, and deputy chair, Cllr Tracy Critchlow.

Mr Bowell said: “It’s heartening to see such far-sighted schemes being developed all across the Peak District. We are delighted to be able to help local groups and businesses who are prepared to meet the challenges of climate change and help safeguard the long-term future of our area.”

The Authority thanked previous panel leaders Anne Ashe and John Herbert.

To find out about the Sustainable Development Fund, or get general advice on any sustainable development project, go to www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/sdf or call 01629 816312.