Rural communities given help to thrive in South Cambridgeshire thanks to a new grant programme

Local life across South Cambridgeshire is being supported thanks to £900,000 of grants for a wide range of community and business projects.

The grants are part of the Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF), aimed at supporting rural communities and businesses in building long-term resilience and fostering economic growth throughout the region.

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA) is the lead authority for the Fund, while South Cambridgeshire District Council is responsible for grant scheme delivery and allocation.

After a thorough evaluation process, a total of 19 projects have been selected to receive a share of the funding. A further seven projects are due for consideration

Projects range from a skate park at Over, to local playground renovations, village hall refurbishments, expansion of a community interest pub, a new website for the Farmland Museum and Denny Abbey and sustainability initiatives such as solar panels for a village hall.

Cllr Peter McDonald, Lead Cabinet Member for Economic Development for South Cambridgeshire District Council, said: “We look forward to seeing these projects come to life and contribute to the vibrancy and resilience of our rural areas. I’m thrilled to see such a broad range of groups who will be supported by this new grant which is designed to revitalise and bolster the district. By investing in local businesses and community groups, we're laying the foundation for long-term prosperity. The grants are not just fuelling economic growth, but also fostering a sense of pride and opportunity in our region, helping South Cambridgeshire thrive as a vibrant, dynamic place to live and work.”

Community projects receiving funding:

• Dry Drayton School & Village Association - £10,000 for Dry Drayton Marquee Community Enterprise.
• Harston Village Hall - £10,000 for a kitchen refurbishment.
• Duxford Parish Council - £10,230 for the cemetery hedges and green space trees project.
• Weston Colville Reading Room and Recreational Ground Charity - £20,348 for the playground renovation.
• Bourn Parish Council - £23,000 for the Pavilion refurbishment project.
• Fen Drayton Parish Council - £25,000 for the pump track project.
• The George Long Charity for Swavesey Memorial Hall - £25,000 for the solar panels project.
• National Trust (Wimpole Estate Home Farm) - £26,801 for access improvements.
• Over Parish Council - £100,000 for the skate park project.

Business projects receiving funding:

• Sweetie Factory - £12,836 for business expansion.
• The Farmland Museum & Denny Abbey - £18,500 for website development.
• Novahub Ltd - £22,861 for digital connectivity for temporary events spaces and communities.
• Lord Conrads Brewery - £23,200 for micro canning and solar generation.
• Hope Against Poverty CIC - £24,770 for the community farm project.
• Bartlow Estate - £25,000 for the community firewood scheme.
• The Linton Kitchen - £25,000 for bakery expansion.
• Maggies Farm - £25,000 for Topfield Farm yard improvements.
• Fired Up Pizza - £25,000 for the 2024 expansion.
• Horningsea Community Interest Company - £40,000 for hospitality facilities improvements at the Plough and Fleece.

The projects reflect the council's commitment to fostering innovation, community spirit, and sustainable development in rural areas. The grants will help improve local infrastructure, support small businesses, and enhance community facilities.