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Community Heritage and Environment Fund (CHEF)

Biodiversity improvements Grant-aided historic church Environmental enhancement works in Chaucer Close to overcome nuisance issues

Introduction

The borough council has for many years supported environmental improvements undertaken by community groups through various schemes. The importance of maintaining a high quality environment along with protecting our heritage and promoting biodiversity is recognised by the council and supported in the Council Plan (2011-2014).

The Community Heritage and Environment Fund (CHEF) is a new scheme which combines and replaces the following four previous programmes:

  • Community Environment Enhancement Fund (grants to community groups for environmental improvements);

  • Historic Building Grants (grants for the repair of historic churches, community buildings and buildings at risk);

  • Natural Environment Fund (funding and grants for projects which support wildlife or interpretation / understanding of the natural environment); and

  • Neighbourhood Improvement Schemes (funding for schemes identified by the public or councillors to address a nuisance issue and improve the appearance of the local environment).

By combining the above, a simplified, more user friendly, streamlined and flexible fund, will better serve applicants, the community and environment.

Who can apply?

Applications are open to anyone wanting to engage the community in improving the environment anywhere in the borough.

What projects are eligible?

Details of the type of works that are eligible are outlined in the attached Advice Note (see link below).

For a project to be considered for funding the following two initial criteria must be met:

  • The project must improve one or more of the following:
    • the natural environment
    • the historic built environment
    • the general amenity of an area
    • the visual amenity of an area affected by a nuisance issue, and

  • Be of benefit to the general public.

Making an application

An application form, together with an advice note can be found below. Please note: applications are considered on an annual basis and the deadline for applications for funding for the financial year 2012 / 2013 is 13 January 2012.

Further information

For more information on the Community Heritage and Environment Fund (CHEF) please call 01256 845414 or email neighbourhood.dev@basingstoke.gov.uk.


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