All sorts of projects are eligible for funding from the Sustainable Development Fund (SDF). The common thread, however, is that they must demonstrate ‘sustainability’. This means that we want to encourage projects that will benefit the environment and communities and the local economy at the same time.
Projects can be local to one area of the National Park, they can apply across the whole area or they can develop links with areas outside the National Park boundary such as cities and towns. We will consider projects from outside the National Park provided that they can show a clear benefit to the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
Below are details of some of the projects that have received funding to date:
Halton Gill micro hydro scheme
A 40kW high head micro-scale hydro scheme is being installed at Manor Farm, Halton Gill; part of the Langcliffe Hall Estate. The scheme comprises a small intake on the hillside, a buried 450 metre pipeline and a small turbine house designed to look like a traditional building.
The water intake for the Halton Gill micro-hydro scheme
The project is a farm diversification project entirely independent of agriculture, and providing an upland farm with an alternative source of income that is extremely long-lasting with low maintenance and running costs.
The project is also important in terms of carbon reduction. The projected energy generation will be equivalent to the consumption of 20-25 households (or 50-60 people).
Information about the scheme will be shared with other landowners and farmers who show interest in developing similar schemes in the Dales.
River Bain Hydro Ltd
The River Bain community hydroscheme under construction
The 45kW plant owned by the local community on the River Bain in Bainbridge, Wensleydale, is a 'low head' scheme, using a small fall on a main river and centuries' old technology in the Archimedes' screw. It will generate enough electricity to power 40 houses, saving 80 tonnes of carbon dioxide year.
Electricity will be sold through the national grid. Profits will be re-invested in the community, funding local environmental work through the Raydale Project.
Yorkshire-based social enterprise company h2oPE is project managing the scheme, which has been part-funded by a very successsful community share issue.
Yvonne Peacock accepting theaward on behalf of River Bain
Hydro Limited from BBC Look
North weatherman Paul Hudson.
And in March 2011 the project won the Best Community award at the 2011 Yorkshire and the Humber Microgeneration Awards.
Part of the aim is to provide a demonstrator project to show that a community hydro scheme is achievable within the sensitive landscape setting of a National Park and to provide a model of how this can be achieved for other communities.
Carperby pavillion renewable energy
The community of Carperby in Wensleydale has worked very hard to raise funds for a new sports pavillion and the Sustainable Development Fund has assisted them by providing a grant for renewable energy technology. An air-source heat pump will provide water and space heating whilst solar photovoltaic panels will provide all the electricity the new building requires with any surplus will be sold to the National Grid.
The provision of sustainable energy to the pavillion will reduce carbon emissions, lower running costs and generate an income to help manage the new sports pavillion. It will also reduce the impact of a new building on the environment.
Interpretation panels will be mounted in the building along with an external display showing how much electricity the solar panels are producing.
Watch the building of the new pavillion at http://www.carperbyparishcouncil.co.uk/playingfields.htm
North Yorkshire Wildfire Group
The North Yorkshire Wildfire Group aims to bring together a number of organisations to address the issue of the increasing threat of wildfires. It will do this through a programme of activities such as fire plan preparation, training, awareness raising and resource allocation, all with a focus on building partnerships between land owning and managing interests and the various agencies and statutory authorities concerned.
Fighting a moorland wildfireMembers of the the Group include the North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, Natural England, the Moorland Association, the National Gamekeepers’ Association, the North York Moors National Park Authority, Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority.
The project will contribute to the sustainable development of the area by protecting its economy, environment, heritage and rural communities from the potentially devastating impacts of wildfires by:
Reducing the occurrence of wildfire by promoting fire prevention to land managers, local communities and visitors;
Improving heath and moorland burning practices to improve habitats and biodiversity and reduce the risk of wildfire;
Reducing the scale and impact of wildfires when they do occur.
Wildfires like the one pictured can cause devastation to upland areas such as the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
Yorkshire Dales Countryside Traineeship Scheme
Providing high quality vocational training and the skills necessary to ensure sustainable use and management of the Yorkshire Dales upland landscape is vital. However, the local availability of key countryside management skills is increasingly difficult to find or develop, as shown by research undertaken by various agencies.
The 2010 class of countryside trainees
The Yorkshire Dales Countryside Traineeship Scheme is increasing the availability of local countryside skills through providing opportunities for 12 young people (17-24 year olds) to be employed and trained in countryside management.
The young people are working towards formal environmental qualifications, combining academic qualifications with practical work with experienced employers such as local contractors, local businesses or organisations such as Natural England, the Natural Trust and the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority.
Airton Barn refurbishment
Airton Barn is a stone barn dating back to 1710, adjacent to the recently restored Airton Quaker Meeting House (a listed building).
Airton BarnThe restoration of the adjacent barn will involve the creation of three multi-use rooms. Along with the neighbouring Meeting House, these new facilties will fulfil a proven need for a rural community centre in Malhamdale, providing a range of local services such as a library and bereavement service in an area with limited public transport. A small bunk room will be created upstairs to provide reasonable cost accommodation for a range of users, including disabled or disadvantaged visitors coming to the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
The project will include a number of energy effiiciency measures such as insulation and lighting and grey water harvesting.
