First round of Community Benefit Fund support announced
The Cleve Hill Solar Park Community Benefit Fund will inject £500,000 into local initiatives over the next eight years.
The Community Benefit Fund is managed by highly respected specialist charity GrantScape on behalf of Quinbrook, the owners of Cleve Hill Solar Park.
The total fund of £500,000 will be allocated to successful applicants over an eight year period. Each of the first two years will see £100,000 spent on local projects, with the following six years funding set at £50,000 per year.
The very first batch of applications came before the Local Advisory Panel in December 2025. The Panel is made up of local Parish Council representatives, a Ward Councillor, residents and a representative from a local primary school. All funding decisions are led by this group of local people.
GrantScape are available to provide advice and support to local individuals and groups who would like to apply to the fund. Read more about the details of the Fund and how to apply here.
The first round of funding has been allocated to a range of local interest groups and projects:
· Graveney with Goodnestone Parish Council – Community and Environmental Projects.
· Graveney and Goodnestone Village Hall – kitchen renewal.
· Graveney and Goodnestone Womens’ Institute projects – Providing Better Care for Disabled People Within Our Community; Educational Opportunities for Women; Continuing to Enhance the Environment.
· All Saints Church, Graveney – PA system.
· Dawes Community Association – Future Fit Goals.
· Hernhill C of E Primary School – Sustainable Digital Learning Suite.
· Hernhill Parish Council, New Noticeboard in Monkshill.
· Hernhill Village Hall & Playing Fields, Replacement Main Hall Flooring & Substructure and Other Flooring Surfaces.
Applications for the next round of funding are open now and close on 13 May, with decisions due by the end of July.