COMMUNITY groups which are based close to a wind farm are being invited to apply for funding.
Power company EDF Energy Renewables has set up a community benefit fund associated with its Boundary Lane wind farm near Whittonstall in Northumberland.
The fund will distribute grants of between £500 and £5,000, or up to £9,000 in exceptional circumstances, to community groups, voluntary organisations and schools based near the wind farm.
An event will take place next week to explain how the fund works.
Funding is available for capital projects with a lasting benefit, such as improvements to community buildings, biodiversity and habitat conservation, energy conservation or other projects which are community-based and community-led.
Priority will be given to applications within a three-mile radius of the wind farm, although applications from groups within a 10-mile radius will be considered if they can prove that people living near the site will benefit.
The meeting will take place at Ebchester Village Hall, at Ebchester, near Consett on Tuesday (September 29) with groups invited to drop in between 10am and 11.30am.
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