Planning Advice Note 65: Planning and open space

ANNEX 2: ADDITIONAL FUNDING SOURCES

A variety of sources of funding are available for open space-related projects. Care should be taken to ensure that revenue funding for maintenance is available for new capital projects. The following sources of funding may change over time.

• sportscotland ( www.sportscotland.org.uk) provides funding towards the cost of constructing sports facilities from its Building for Sport Programme. The programme is divided into two strands - the Community Facilities strand will be the main focus for open space projects. Awards are available for the provision of new or improved sports pitches, courts, changing accommodation and other outdoor sports facilities.
• The Heritage Lottery Fund ( HLF) provides grants to heritage projects that meet its priorities relating to learning, conservation and participation. HLF funds a range of projects that are relevant to open space, including the restoration of historic parks and gardens, the creation or improvement of footpaths to open up access to heritage resources, biodiversity projects and, where appropriate, land acquisition for nature conservation projects. For more information on grant programmes and to complete a pre-application advice form online see www.hlf.org.uk.
• The Scotland Rural Development Programme 2007-13 is a major programme of investment worth around £1.6 billion which will fund social, environmental and economic projects throughout rural Scotland. Land managers and other eligible groups can access these resources by applying for assistance through a Rural Development Contract. Information on how to apply will be available on the Government's website ( www.scotland.gov.uk). Groups or individuals can apply under a wide range of measures, including for the provision of leisure, recreation, sporting and other rural community services and facilities.
• Forestry Commission Scotland's ( www.forestry.gov.uk/scotland) Woods In and Around Towns ( WIAT) initiative may be a source of funding for woodland creation and woodland management, primarily through the SRDP. There is an additional "community woodland contribution" for creation of woodland close to towns and cities that meets conditions on access and community involvement. The WIAT Challenge Fund and the Forestry for People Challenge Fund may have particular relevance for projects to bring woodland near to towns and cities into active management and promote community involvement in woodland.
• Through the Landfill Communities Fund ( LCF), landfill operators can choose to pay a portion of their Landfill Tax liability to certain organisations for environmental projects in the vicinity (usually 10 miles) of the landfill site. Examples of suitable projects would be the remediation or reclamation of pollution or land, improvements to public amenities and the conservation of biodiversity. The LCF is regulated by ENTRUST. ( www.entrust.org.uk)