Wind farm fund supports rural community projects

A defibrillator and replacement floodlights for a community football club were among the projects supported by the wind farm fund since 1 April last year

A wind farm fund has seen more than £250,000 awarded to local community groups, charities and volunteer-led organisations, a foundation said.

Northamptonshire Community Foundation (NCF), which manages the funds, said that since 1 April last year, the scheme had supported a grant for a defibrillator in the village of Winwick.

The library in Burton Latimer and 12 free-of-charge self defence and fitness workshops for women have also been supported.

Chief executive Rachel McGrath said rural areas were "often overlooked when it comes to funding", adding that NCF was "committed to changing that".

A wind farm fund is a dedicated pot of money - often established by wind farm developers - that provides financial support to local communities impacted by its development and operation.

The foundation, which has managed wind farm funds for 12 years, said money had also been used to support the replacement of floodlights at West Haddon Junior Football Club.

In Northamptonshire, the fund supports communities based in close proximity to wind farms, including Clay Coton, Crick, Lilbourne, Yelvertoft, Winwick, Cold Ashby, West Haddon, Guilsborough, Burton Latimer, Cranford, Rushton and Pipewell.

The In Contact art project, with artist Elizabeth Tomos and Sol Haven Farm, was funded by the Northamptonshire creative climate action fund during the 2023-24 financial year

NCF added that it had reopened its creative climate action fund and small green arts fund.

The money will support up to three local groups with grant awards of up to £50,000 for creative projects that encourage people to make behavioural changes to protect the environment.