A footbridge to improve woodland access, a retrofitted community room providing a safe place in a flooding emergency and village hall solar panels are among the improvements that have been realised in communities across Bath and North East Somerset.
Nine projects in B&NES which all have a positive impact on the environment or biodiversity were awarded a total of £260,000 in March 2024 from the West of England Rural Fund, which is funded by the UK government through the Rural England Prosperity Fund.
The completed projects are:
- Radstock Town Council – new wayfinding including fingerposts, information boards and walking maps to connect people with walking and cycling routes and improve biodiversity awareness
- Farmborough Village Sport & Social – installation of an air-to-air source heat pump heating system and hot water system in a refurbished building to reduce energy consumption
- Westfield Parish Council – a new footbridge to enhance and encourage public access to Grove Wood, Haydon Batch and Waterside Valley and enable people to have more nature experiences
- East Harptree, Bishop Sutton and Peasedown St John – new solar panels
- Compton Martin & Peasedown St John – new roof insulation
- Chelwood Parish Council – roof repairs and insulation at the village hall and retrofit of a room by Chew Magna Old School Room Charity to help the community adapt to flooding events by creating a safe facility, including storage of items such as solar charged portable power packs and recycled rubber matting for seating children.
Councillor Dom Tristram, Green Party, Radstock Town Council, said: “While projects like these offer practical benefits, whether it’s reducing emissions or improving access to green spaces, they also quietly reshape how people think about their environment. Helping residents connect with walking and cycling routes isn’t just good for biodiversity, it’s also a step towards building healthier, more sustainable habits. We need more of this kind of joined-up thinking, where investment in local infrastructure actively supports both community wellbeing and the climate.”
The trustees of the Old School Room said: The grant from the Rural Fund enabled us to complete a safe Rest Centre, provide a well set up kitchen with ample storage, solar power packs in case of outages, a high-quality medical kit and interlocking flooring for seating children. In addition it has provided a well-used social space for the community. Thanks for your support.”