Solarcentury awards nearly £200,000 to community groups

Solarcentury’s Community Fund has awarded nearly £200,000 to Parish Councils and community groups near our 2016/17 solar farm developments. The payments to community projects in Nottinghamshire, Warwickshire, Hampshire, Norfolk, Lincolnshire and Derbyshire follow an application process administered for Solarcentury by Grantscape.

From the outset, Parish Councils and other key local groups were encouraged to apply for the funding, with a particular emphasis on projects aimed at improving the local environment and providing support for young people. Examples of the winning bids include a community garden project, specialist play equipment and playground improvements for nurseries and primary schools, birds of prey nest boxes, footpath improvements and support for Parish Council community projects and events.

Seb Berry, Director of Corporate Communications for Solarcentury said: “We’ve been delighted to support so many great community projects as part of our ongoing pledge to being a good neighbour to communities near our solar farm sites. It’s all part of our overall commitment to developing our sites appropriately and sensitively and to the highest environmental standards. Grantscape played an invaluable role organising the applications process and determining which projects should be supported.”

Matt Young of Grantscape said: “All of the Funds have attracted a fantastic range of applications and the projects really help strengthen the communities they benefit. Without the volunteers within these communities, who give up their time to apply for funding and help the groups operate, and the generous donation from Solarcentury, many of these projects would not happen.”

Stephanie Spencer of Cawston Parish Council in Norfolk said: “The response from the village has been overwhelming, from projects completed by the school, to all ages Growing, Making and Baking. All was on display and the footfall through the Village Hall on the day, of all generations proved how popular the event was. Comments from those who entered and those who viewed provided us with the encouragement to make Grow, Make and Bake an annual event, which promises to be bigger and better next year.”