Grants for small nature schemes

Projects must help conserve and enhance the wildlife of the park

Small-scale projects to improve nature and landscape in the Cotswold Water Park are being invited to apply for cash grants of up to £500.

The grants, on offer until early 2008, are aimed at community projects which will enhance the wildlife and landscape within the Water Park.

One project to benefit is Somerford Keynes Parish Council's scheme to build new nesting rafts at Coke's Pit.

Others include a grant for a wildlife and sensory garden at South Cerney.

Bat box

The funding, administered by Cotswold District Council, comes from a £100,000 pot contributed by Cotswold Four Pillars Ltd as part of a planning agreement, after the firm was given the green light to build a hotel at Lake 6.

To be eligible, projects must help conserve and enhance the wildlife of the Water Park and/or contribute towards the park's overall management.

The deadline for groups to get their bids in is 21 January 2008.

Councillor John Birch said: "This is a great opportunity for local organisations to get involved in improving and enhancing the special environment of the Water Park. Projects may range from planting a hedgerow around your school field, surveying for water voles in your parish or putting up a bat box on the village hall."