CASH grants worth £82,000 are on offer to help kick start projects in the Yorkshire Dales.

In the past six months, 13 schemes have been offered £78,000 from the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority’s Sustainable Development Fund.

Andrea Burden, the authority’s sustainable development officer, said: “The fund provides a simple and accessible source of money for plans that result in positive benefits for the national park, its environment, its economy and its communities – at the same time enhancing and conserving local culture, wildlife, landscape and land use.

“We will consider all projects great and small that have been submitted by individuals, businesses, community groups or voluntary-sector bodies.

“Some of them are quite simple things costing a few hundred pounds while others are on a much grander scale – but as long as they fit the criteria they stand a great chance of getting some money.”

The projects supported this year include the refurbishment of the upper floor in Malham Village Hall to provide a facility for local young people (£5,000) and help set up a new community shop and post office in Clapham (£8,502).

Applications for less than £10,000 are usually determined within four weeks while those for larger sums will require more information and will take a little longer.

In the first instance, potential applicants are recommended to get in touch before they submit an application. They can do this via email SDF@yorkshiredales.org.uk or by phoning 01969 652337. An electronic application form and guidance notes are available from yorkshiredales.org.uk/livinghere/sdf