Small grants scheme

This grant scheme will help improve local countryside access and information in the New Forest National Park area.

The Small Grants Scheme is available to parish councils and land owners with ideas for projects that will improve access to, or information about, the local countryside. In addition, any organisation or group may apply to produce publicity materials. Grants are available for up to 75% of the total project cost, up to a maximum grant of £15,000.

Within the National Park area, projects in Hampshire are joint funded by the County Council and the National Park Authority. Outside Hampshire, all the funding is provided by the National Park Authority.

Applications for projects costing up to £2,000 can be accepted throughout the year up to the final closing date of 30 November 2012. A decision will be made within 4 weeks of the application. For projects costing more than £2,000, applications must be submitted before closing dates of 25 May and 28 September 2012, with decisions made within 4 weeks of the closing date.

Projects that are eligible for funding include, but are not limited to, path resurfacing and drainage, replacement of stiles with kissing gates, installation of benches, provision of a countryside access map board, and production of countryside access leaflets.

The Scheme was originally developed and managed across Hampshire by the Hampshire Countryside Access Forum and Hampshire County Council. The New Forest Access Forum supports the Scheme and helps to manage it.

For more information about the Scheme, please contact the Countryside Access Officer on 0845 345 4979 or email access.forum@newforestnpa.gov.uk

Detailed information about the Scheme, and application forms, are available from the Hampshire County Council website – but please note that for projects outside Hampshire all enquiries and applications must be made to the Countryside Access Officer at the New Forest National Park Authority.