Natural England

A fund to boost sustainable development in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) has succeeded in getting more than four hundred environmentally friendly, community focussed and economically beneficial projects up and running across the country.

In the Suffolk Coast and Heaths AONB a total of £161,600 was given to 27 projects, including the Suffolk Community Barn Owl Project, which addresses the decline of barn owls in the county, and which received £9,000. Lowestoft based charity S.O.L.D (Special Objectives for the Local Disabled) make nestboxes which volunteers then take out to locations which are suitable for colonisation by the owls.

In Dedham Vale AONB on the border of Suffolk and Essex a total of £101,700 was given to 17 projects. Villagers from Stoke by Nayland, Leavenheath and Polstead were awarded £1,000 to run Village Green Teams with the aim of raising awareness of global warming and green issues in their area. Through regular meetings, community events and producing informative literature, they have helped to persuade local residents to think about their impact on the environment and change their habits. They have also forged links with local businesses to offer environmental products at a reduced rate to Village Green Team members.

Defra asked Natural England to set up a Sustainable Development Fund to help protect AONBs, while ensuring local communities prosper. Natural England is working with local AONB partnerships on issuing funds and finding the best ways of making the money work for individual sites.

Shaun Thomas, East of England Regional Director for Natural England, said: “This funding helps create a sustainable way of life for people living in areas of finest countryside. AONBs prosper when communities work together to support the local economy and care for the sensitive and unique environment.

“It’s great to see so many people powered projects working for a healthy and sustainable natural environment.”

Barry Gardiner, Minister for Biodiversity, Landscape and Rural Affairs said: "I am pleased with the success of the Sustainable Development Fund for Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the many varied and interesting projects which have benefited from it.

“Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty are good for our health and wellbeing, and with our support the people living in and around them can help to combat climate change and take us a step closer to what we call One Planet Living."