Report on the Sustainable Development Fund in the Forest of Bowland AONB 2008/09

In 2008/09 the Forest of Bowland AONB allocated a total of nearly £73,000 of Sustainable Development Funds to 19 projects across the area. Projects varied from nature conservation schemes, through arts projects, sustainable tourism work and a number of feasibility and evaluation studies.

B1 study

This was a survey of passengers using the re Bowland Transit bus service (and particularly the B1 shuttle between Settle and Slaidburn) carried out by the University of Central Lancashire. It aimed to look at passenger’s travelling habits as well as the spending power (economic impact) they have within the AONB and the market towns. We were keen to support this study with a small grant of £2400 as the B1 bus service was under threat of closure at the time and any evidence we could supply to help secure its future was valuable. Click to view Full Report

Bashall Brook habitat improvement

An application from Ribble Catchment Conservation Trust last year resulted in us funding a small scale habitat and landscape survey to determine the impact of riverside fencing in the Bashall Brook area. As the study suggested impact would be low, this year we supported the Trust’s application for £10,000 towards a project fencing off and improving several stretches of the brook. The scheme will enable bankside vegetation to regenerate, and for trees to be planted. This will also improve the fish population and the wildlife habitat of the brook itself.

Bowland Festival Arts

Following on from organising a number of events in conjunction with the Bowland Festival in 2007, Bowland Festival Arts (co-ordinated by Green Close Studios) were awarded a grant of £10,000 to contribute to costs for their work in 2008/09. This work included a number of workshops with schools culminating in a 'Village Art Show'; networking and support for artists to develop an open studio trail for 2009; training for artists in the Bowland area; and preparation for events and exhibitions as part of Bowland Festival Arts in the summer of 2009.For more information see www.bowlandarts.co.uk

Growing with Grace eco toilet block

Growing with Grace is an organic market garden just outside Clapham, on the north eastern edge of the AONB. They are keen to develop their site for educational visits from schools interested in healthy eating, and are putting together a plan to develop classrooms and employ an education officer. The first step in this process was to provide toilet and handwashing facilities for visitors, and they came to us for a grant of £3930 to build a compost toilet - now available for use!

Green Tourism Business Scheme

As part of the AONB’s ongoing work on sustainable tourism the team are currently working with Lancashire & Blackpool Tourist Board and LCDL to manage the Green Tourism Business Scheme for the whole of Lancashire. The scheme provides advice and accreditation to businesses who are improving the environmental performance of their business. A contribution of £6000 from SDF enabled the project to operate in the Yorkshire part of the AONB in 2008/09 and to contribute to the overall costs of the project which is funded by LBTB, LCDL and Lancashire County Council. For more details see www.lancashiregreentourism.com 

Way of the Roses Cycle Route development

The Way of the Roses Cycle Route is a new coast to coast route being developed by SUSTRANS to link Morecambe with Hull and Bridlington, and due to open in 2010. The route cuts through the northern fringes of the AONB, and then continues through the Yorkshire Dales National Park and Nidderdale AONB – connecting these protected landscapes to each other and to the coast. It is hoped that tourism businesses and communities will get involved in and benefit from the new route (which is largely on-road). Our contribution of £2000 in 2008/09 helped with planning and feasibility work and was matched by contributions from Yorkshire Dales National Park and the various local authorities along the route.

Pendleside Broadband

This was an innovative project to upgrade wireless broadband to the outlying communities in the Barley area of Pendle. Run by a not for profit business this scheme has enabled the doubling of capacity to this necessary rural network, and will encourage more people to work from home and use their cars less. Grant awarded £2900.

Corio Raptor Care Hospital

This charity based in Bentham take in sick, injured and abandoned birds of prey and prepares them for release whenever possible. Our grant of £3000 enabled them to build and equip a hospital area which will increase their capacity to take in chicks and sick birds.

Dalesbridge House energy efficiency project

We gave a small grant of £2425 to Dalesbridge House, a tourism accommodation business on the edge of Bowland near Austwick. In a bid to improve their energy efficiency the business has installed a highly efficient oil condenser boiler, plus insulation, in their Bed & Breakfast building. This will help substantially reduce their heating costs and their carbon footprint.

Higher Landskill Farm Habitat Scheme

This was a small habitat conservation project, supporting a farmer to work with Lancashire County Council's Countryside Service and RSPB to improve fields and hedgerows for nesting wading birds. We also supported the installation of a bird hide to enable visitors to view the wildlife on the farm. The total grant was £2603.

Cobble Hey Bird Watching

Close to Higher Landskill Farm and on adjoining fields lies Cobble Hey Farm and Gardens. Already an established tourism attraction the farmers here were also keen to develop bird watching on the farm, and installed a new hide with a grant of £2946, equipped with binoculars and interpretation for visitors and schoolchildren.

Evaluation of Renewables in Bowland

Over the last 4 years the SDF scheme has supported many renewable energy projects within the AONB. This £5000 grant has enabled us to commission an expert consultant to look at the effectiveness and impact of these projects and will draw out learning points and good practice for the future. Click to view Full Report, Appendix 1 and Appendix 3 for further details about case studies please contact cathy [dot] hopley [at] lancashire [dot] gov [dot] uk

Slaidburn YHA feasibility study

The Youth Hostel Association (YHA) were exploring options for a new heating system at their hostel in Slaidburn. They were keen to include renewables in this study, so they commissioned a detailed scoping and costing study for the building. We supported this with a £1000 grant, and hope to be able to support the installation of a wood chip boiler next year.

Bowland LCA consultants

As part of the Forest of Bowland AONB's new management plan a revised Landscape Character Assessment (LCA) for the area was commissioned. In order to complete this study some extra research into historical landscapes and vernacular building styles was required, as well as stakeholder consultation and the provision of quality field sketches. A small grant of £2650 supplemented the larger study, which will be available in Summer 2009. See the report here>>>

Hornby Village Institute

Hornby Village Institute was refurbished and re-opened a few years ago, but the Trust which manages the building is constantly reviewing improvements and energy saving that can be made. This year our small grant of £3032 has enabled the ballroom windows to be double glazed in a sympathetic manner, and this cuts down on noise too!

Gisburn Forest Tramper

The new cycle trails being developed in Gisburn Forest will also enable Tramper users to explore the area. Hyndburn & Ribble Valley CVS have therefore been awarded a grant of £2000 towards the costs of buying and providing a Tramper in the area, which will be available to all their service users, and to members of the public.

Maximising HLS Potential

This pilot project is being run by the AONB. A small 100% grant of £4650 has enabled 4 people to be trained by Natural England in carrying out Farm Environment Plans, an essential requirement of higher level stewardship (HLS) applications. Once trained, these independent consultants will be able to support landowners looking to apply for or renew their stewardship schemes on the most important and protected areas of the AONB landscape.

RSPB Schools Outreach Project

This project was run by RSPB during the 2008/09 school year. RSPB staff from Leighton Moss and the AONB team approached 8 schools within the AONB with a 4 day programme of activity. This included 3 visits to school by RSPB staff, working on topics such as wildlife, birds and farming. A final visit is planned for the summer term to take pupils out to the farms nearby to see for themselves the wealth of wildlife and breeding wader birds in the area. A grant of £4000 was awarded to this project.