Planning fee help for local community projects

A new fund has been launched by Exmoor National Park Authority to assist local groups to undertake projects that help or provide facilities for local communities and/or achieve National Park purposes.

David Wyborn, head of planning at the National Park Authority explains: “From time to time, community initiatives require planning permission from the Authority and we appreciate that, in many cases, the costs of planning applications can be significant compared to the finances available to a community organisation. To help with this we’ve established a fund to assist with planning application fees for small community projects.”

Local charitable, local non-profit making and/or local community organisations including Parish and Town Councils can apply to the Fund. The project should be a small scale proposal where there is benefit to National Park purposes and/or the social and economic well-being of the wider community.

The two National Park Purposes are:

·To conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the National Park

·To promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of the National Park by the public.

David Wyborn said: “We would welcome the opportunity to discuss any planning proposals before submission to ensure that they are the best that can be achieved and there is a likelihood of the proposals being acceptable. An application can be made to the Fund before the planning application is made or if already submitted the fee can be refunded.”