Bulb planting, bat boxes, pond creation and bramble clearing are just some of the projects that could receive funding as part of a new Pride of Place initiative.

East Cambridgeshire District Council is making up to £15,000 available for environmentally friendly projects that create, tidy up or enhance somewhere special in local communities.

Applicants must either be a parish council, or a non-profit group or organisation which is either based in East Cambridgeshire or benefits East Cambridgeshire residents.

The activity must also meet an identified local need or opportunity, leave a legacy for the community and, where relevant, include native planting.

Example projects include:

• • Clearing unkempt areas of bramble, litter or rubble and converting them to grass, orchards or informal natural play areas so they can be brought back into use for the benefit of the public and the environment
  • Tree or orchard planting
  • Bulb planting (appropriate to England)
  • Creating wildflower areas with appropriate management plan of how it will be maintained
  • Hedgerow planting
  • Safety/security measures (eg boundary fencing), where this would help improve use and value of land
  • Pond creation or improving an old pond
  • Other habitat creation
  • Bird/bat boxes located in suitable and public viewable areas, but can be located on private buildings
  • ‘Edible’ planting, such as fruit bushes or trees or rainbow chard in local parks
  • Information / interpretation boards, but only if associated with one of the above measures

Cllr Anna Bailey, leader of East Cambridgeshire District Council, said: “We are delighted to be able to launch this fantastic initiative which will really help to rejuvenate the communities in which we all live, not just for residents but for the natural environment too.

“We all know of somewhere in our local communities that could really benefit, such as a choked-up steam, overgrown pond or an area of wasteland. Alternatively, communities may wish to make bird, bat or hedgehog boxes available.

“East Cambridgeshire District Council is committed to creating a cleaner, greener East Cambridgeshire and if we all commit to doing just one thing – we will reap huge rewards for everybody.”

East Cambridgeshire District Council has set aside £100,000 for the project using money given to the Council by the Government under its UK Shared Prosperity Fund which is designed to help level up local communities. The remaining funds are being spent on other projects throughout the district.

Groups can apply for up to £15,000 for each project, however, £20,000 has been ringfenced for projects up to £1000 each.

The grant cannot be used for sports projects, buildings, formal play equipment or hard landscaping. For full terms and conditions visit the Pride of Place page on our website.