Pride in Place grants

South Norfolk and Broadland District Councils have invested over £1million into the community to support local projects that improve residents’ health and wellbeing and foster a sense of pride.

Over the past two years, the Councils have awarded £1,072,827 through their Pride in Place Grants. A huge figure, which has been match funded by the benefitting communities, with a further £1,122,339 investment. In total, the councils awarded 88 grants, which supported 43 projects in Broadland and 49 projects in South Norfolk.

The funding was used for a range of schemes that improved local people’s quality of life, such as improvements to community buildings, creating greater sustainability through green infrastructure, rejuvenating outdoor spaces such as play areas and green spaces, improving outcomes for young people and celebrating local heritage.

One such scheme to benefit was Yelverton Pond Project. Work on the village pond had been underway since 2017, when long-time resident Ted Cullum inspired a local team of volunteers to restore the once much-loved beauty spot. The project, began with tree and hedge reduction, and removal of a diseased ash tree. Excavation revealed the pond’s clay bottom, and volunteers planted new saplings, creating a wildlife sanctuary.

Last year, South Norfolk Council awarded the Parish Council a grant for £19,584.50 from the Pride in Place fund to create a new accessible seating area and now this beautiful haven can be enjoyed by everyone.

The fund also helped Buckenham Ancient Woodland Trust to purchase the central 7.4 acres of Buckenham Wood (23.4 acres), a designated Ancient Woodland and a County Wildlife Site (CWS), which would otherwise have been sold on the open market.

Broadland District Council awarded the Trust £25,000 from the Pride in Place Fund to secure the land. Ownership has enabled the Trust to secure substantial funding to develop a 20-year strategy and 10-year management plan that will lay the foundations for conserving this ancient woodland, enhancing its biodiversity and maximising its enjoyment by neighbouring communities and visitors for many years to come.

The Pride in Place Grant was funded through central government’s Shared Prosperity Fund. The scheme has now closed, but other community funding is available here.