Natural England

Natural England is today (15 March) inviting new applications for a share of a £5 million grant scheme designed to reduce the impacts of aggregate extraction in England.

Natural England's Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund (ALSF) grant scheme, funded by Defra, supports projects which reduce the impact of aggregate extraction on wildlife, geology, landscapes, rights of way, informal recreation and where people live. For example the fund provides cash for community-based schemes that can turn redundant quarries into reedbeds, ponds and transform former gravel pits into nature reserves.

This year Natural England is particularly keen to receive applications from groups working to reduce the effects of aggregate extraction on Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs).

Helen Phillips, Chief Executive of Natural England, said: "The secret of the success of the Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund is that it brings people together where they live to improve the environment on their own doorstep and transform it into havens of wildlife, peace and tranquillity and is something they can be immensely proud of and enjoy."

Forms can be downloaded from the Natural England website and must be submitted by the deadline of 9 am Monday 16 April 2007.

Notes for editors

1. The Aggregates Levy is a tax on the production of primary aggregates (sand, gravel and crushed rock used, for example, in the construction industry). Introduced in April 2002 part of the money raised is to fund the Sustainability Fund. Last year a partnership of English Nature and the Countryside Agency handed out £4,690,000 to 124 grant recipients. For a full report please visit http://www.english-nature.org.uk/pubs/publication/pdf/ALSFAnnualReport05_06.pdf.

This fund, the Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund or ALSF, aims to address the environmental and social cost of aggregate extraction by delivering environmental improvements, minimising the demand for primary aggregates, promoting environmentally friendly extraction and transport, encouraging the use of recycled and alternative materials, and reducing the local effects of aggregate extraction.

Natural England is one of a number of organisations selected by Defra to award Sustainability Fund grants for projects which reduce the effects of aggregate extraction. Natural England's ALSF Grant Scheme aims to support projects that reduce the effects of aggregate extraction on access, biodiversity, communities, geodiversity, informal recreation and landscapes.

2. Natural England is here to conserve and enhance the natural environment, for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people and the economic prosperity that it brings.

3. Further information about Natural England's Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund Grants Scheme can be found on the Natural England website. The ALSF grants team can be contacted on 01476 584821 or email alsfgrants@naturalengland.org.uk.

More information

For more information please contact the press office on 0845 603 9953 or 07970 098005 or email pressoffice@naturalengland.org.uk.