THE LAST ever Community Legacy Grant scheme has been unveiled by Wychavon District Council and groups across Droitwich are being urged to apply for their share of the £1million pot.
Councillors have now agreed to run the fourth and final tranche and are encouraging areas which have not yet received funding to get in touch.
Groups bidding for the cash need to be able to show their projects will have a lasting benefit for residents in the district.
Priority will be given to projects in areas which have relatively high levels of new housing development but, as yet, no funding from the scheme.
Since launching in 2018, almost £3million has been committed to 27 projects across the district – nine have been completed so far, with a combined £1.7million invested.
Projects Wychavon has recently supported include an augmented reality smartphone app to support tourism in Droitwich Spa, a community hub incorporating a cafe and a shop in Tibberton and brand new village halls in Honeybourne and Whittington.
The grants are funded using the New Homes Bonus cash Wychavon receives from the Government for each property that is built and occupied.
While most other councils use the funds to support the day-to-day running of services, Wychavon instead decided to invest a large chunk of it back into communities so the benefits of house building were shared.
Coun Rob Adams, Wychavon District Council’s Executive Board Member for Stronger Communities, Culture and Sport, urged groups to apply and said: “Through our Community Legacy Grants scheme we have been able to support many innovative and ambitious projects that are going to leave lasting benefits for residents across our district for years to come.”
Applications for Community Legacy Grants must be made by town or parish councils but the project itself can be led by a local community group.
People should contact their town or parish council to discuss ideas for potential applications and can visit wychavon.gov.uk/legacy-grants for more information.
