Huntingdonshire District Council is committed to enhancing biodiversity within the region. We have successfully agreed with the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority to set aside funding for 2024/25 to distribute to parish and town councils, landowners, schools, and community organisations to help them improve the levels of biodiversity on their land.
To be eligible, the land must allow public access so that the community can benefit from the enhancements to nature.
The process begins with an Expression of Interest (EOI). If your EOI is approved, our HDC ecologist will conduct a site assessment in late spring/early summer of 2024.
Our ecologists will carry out an audit at no cost for those who are successful in the application. Following the audit, grant opportunities of up to £8,000 are available for projects to improve biodiversity. We aim to fund at least 10 sites to deliver work to enhance biodiversity based on the evidence in provided in the audits.
These projects encompass a wide range of activities, including but not limited to:
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tree/shrub planting
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hedgerow gapping-up
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wildlife boxes
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pond and habitat creation and restoration
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landscaping
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wildflower planting.
You can submit an Expression of Interest for this grant during two application periods.
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The first window will be open from 1 November to 30 November 2023
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The second opportunity will be available from 8 January to 9 February 2024
How to apply
Stage 1
Use this form to apply for the Expressions of Interest for an ecological survey.
It is important that you "the applicant" is the owner and/or has the relevant permissions to deliver ecological landscape works on the identified sites. The site must also have public access.
View the guidance [PDF, 2.5MB] [PDF, 2.5MB]
Applications will be assessed on the viability and potential of the site, using the Lawton Principles of Bigger, Better and More Connected.
We will complete audits of the successful sites in the late spring/early summer of 2024. The audit will be free of charge to the successful applicants. The full report will be provided to the applicant upon completion.
Stage 2
Those who successfully secured an audit will be invited to apply for a grant to support the delivery of the work in Stage 2.
If successful, we will send applicants a grant application form and guidance on how to apply. The ecologists will be available to support the completion of the application.
A decision panel will score and decide on the successful applicants and the level of funding allocated to projects.