Goole Fields Wind Farm Fund opens for new bids

Community groups, educational projects and environmental initiatives may be in for a welcome windfall as Goole Fields Community Wind Farm Fund opens again on Friday, July 1 to receive applications.

Parish councils, community projects, schools and churches in the Snaith, Airmyn, Rawcliffe, Marshland and Goole South Wards of the East Riding will be able to submit their requests until September 30, 2016.

Now in its second year, the community ‘cash pot’ receives an annual donation from the wind farms operating company, RWE Innogy UK, and aims to use these funds for projects for public benefit in the area.

During 2015, the fund supported a wide range of projects, from local community buildings to sports clubs and from community transport to community-based education and training.

In the last round of awards, New Life Support, in Goole, which aims to improve the lives of people in the area, received £5,000 from the fund to provide English lessons and 1st Snaith Scouts received £2,568 to purchase a trailer to transport camping and other outdoor equipment.

The funding comes as part of a £1.6million cash injection into the local community over the lifetime of the wind farm by developer and wind farm operator RWE Innogy UK.

The fund is administered independently by East Riding of Yorkshire Council with decisions made by a panel of local representatives.

For further information on applying for a grant, visit: www2.eastriding.gov.uk/council/grants-and-funding/energy-related-community-funds/goole-fields-wind-farm-community-fund/

The fund administrator can be contacted on ruralfunding@eastriding.gov.uk, or telephone (01482) 391695.