An annual grants scheme set up when construction of a Dry Fuel Store at Sizewell B power station began has marked 10 years of funding community projects with almost £300,000 awarded in grants over the past decade.

The Coast & Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Amenity & Accessibility Fund aims to improve the environment and natural character of the area by awarding grants to projects that sustainably improve the amenity and accessibility of the area, which includes a large swather of the Shotley peninsula

2012-13 was the first year of the Amenity & Accessibility Fund and over the past decade more than 80 projects have been funded across Suffolk with close to £300,000 awarded to communities and grassroots organisations.

Funding for the Amenity & Accessibility Fund is provided by EDF, with an initial one-off payment of £120,000 made when construction of a Dry Fuel Store for spent nuclear fuel at Sizewell B power station began, in addition to further annual payments by EDF of at least £20,000. 

Suffolk Punch project (Picture: Gill Moon AONB)

Improving accessibility and enhancing the local amenity within the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is a key ongoing priority, both in terms of physical barriers such as making sites wheelchair friendly and removing steps, to engaging with new and underrepresented groups in the surrounding areas. 

The fund has supported a wide range of organisations, from some of the Coast & Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty's most loved and historic landmarks, to education providers and local primary schools.

Projects funded through the fund include the renovation of Butley Ferry, accessible ramps at RSPB Hollesley Marshes, restoring heathland in Rendlesham Forest, planting new fruit orchards on public land in over 20 parishes across Suffolk, and providing accessible activities for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.

Cllr T-J Haworth-Culf, Chair and SCC representative on the Amenity and Accessibility Fund Panel said: "It is great to see the investment from this grant going to grassroots organisations to deliver tangible environmental gains in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the panel looks forward to the fund continuing to deliver enhancements for the next 50 years".

Robert Gunn, Sizewell B Station Director, said: "Sizewell B is delighted to help so many different community groups gain access to enjoy the Coast & Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. As custodians of an area of the AONB ourselves, we know how important it is to local people and have worked hard to ensure biodiversity thrives here and communities are welcome to enjoy the area."  

The Amenity & Accessibility Fund is being managed by EDF, East Suffolk Council and Suffolk County Council in consultation with the Coast & Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty who administers the fund. 

This year's Amenity & Accessibility Fund has £25,000 of funding available to communities, and is open now for applications, closing on 10th March 2023. You can find out more about the Amenity & Accessibility Fund, and all the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty's grants at www.suffolkcoastandheaths.org/managing.