Fund that reaches where others don't
3rd March 2010
England’s National Park Authorities [1] have today published the findings [2] of an independent review of seven years of operation of the Sustainable Development Fund [3] which shows just how successful it has been.
The review, conducted by Land Use Consultants [4], for the English National Park Authorities Association [5] found that, amongst other positive findings, the Sustainable Development Fund (SDF):
- Draws down high levels of other funding. The £9.9 million invested in the Sustainable Development Fund has attracted £42.5 million in funding from other sources. This compares well with other grant schemes operating in rural areas.
- Creates jobs. Over 16% of the projects created jobs, and over half of those projects received less than £1,000 per job created.
- Reaches where other schemes do not. The SDF gives priority to innovative ideas and is prepared to take risks on projects with no proven track record, supporting initiatives that would otherwise fall between the gaps of other funding schemes. The SDF often provides the first offer of funding from which other support can be generated.
- Meets needs identified by communities and businesses. A key strength of the SDF is its emphasis on a ’bottom-up’ delivery.
- Provides practical examples of sustainable development in action.
Narendra Bajaria (Chairman of ENPAA) said:
“In drawing together evidence from all the English National Park Authorities and the Broads Authority this report gives us a clear picture of the positive effects on businesses, communities and the special qualities of National Parks that the Sustainable Development Fund has had. The Fund is contributing to the transformation to a low carbon society and sustainable living in our National Parks. The report also indicates some ways in which we could improve delivery of the SDF. National Park Authorities look forward to working individually and collectively to take up the challenges and opportunities indentified in the report with the aim of making the Sustainable Development Fund even more successful in future. ”
Note to Editors:
1. England has ten National Parks. They cover 9.3% of England by land area. Each has a National Park Authority (NPA) who have two statutory purposes. These are to:
- conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of their areas; and
- promote opportunities for the public understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of their areas.
In addition, the Broads Authority has an additional statutory purpose to protect the interests of navigation. In furthering these purposes, the NPAs are to seek to foster the social and economic well-being of their local communities.
2. A summary report and the full findings can be found on the ENPAA website.
3. Since 2003, each NPA in England has been allocated a sum of £200,000 per annum by Defra to offer SDF grants to promote sustainable ways of living. During the first seven years of the SDF programme to March 2009, 1,235 projects have received funding and a significantly greater number of people have received advice and guidance. The SDF seeks to promote sustainable development, partnership working and social inclusion among communities and businesses in ways that support the two statutory purposes of the National Park designation. There is an expectation that the programme will develop models of sustainable development that could be applied more widely by other local authorities.
Each NPA operates its own SDF independently, according to its own local circumstances but within the guidelines established by Defra in its original prospectus (replicated in Appendix 2 of the report). SDF officers are employed or contracted to administer the scheme. Funding decisions are made by SDF panels comprising members and representatives of local communities including the voluntary, environmental, business and social sectors.
The South Downs National Park was not included in this assessment as it was designated as a National Park in 2009. The South Downs Joint Committee has been operating the SDF under the AONB arrangements and was assessed in the 2007 study of the effectiveness of the SDF in AONBs.
4. Land Use Consultants (14 Great George Street, Bristol BS1 5RH. Tel: 0117 929 1997. www.landuse.co.uk). One of the UK’s first specialist environmental consultancies, LUC was founded in 1966 by conservationist, author and former head of the Nature Conservancy Council, Max Nicholson. With over 40 years’ experience, LUC takes a holistic view of our precious landscape, considering its history, culture and community. Being independent, we offer sound, impartial advice, keeping the environment, and people’s relationship with it, at the heart of all our work. Now with over 100 professionally qualified staff, Land Use Consultants has offices in Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow and London.
5. ENPAA (the English National Park Authorities Association) is the body that represents the National Park Authorities in England. It is a not for profit company limited by guarantee (company number 6521048, registered in England at First Floor, 2-4 Great Eastern Street, London EC2A 3NW). ENPAA supports policy making by providing a collective voice for the nine National Park Authorities.
Further information and interview
English National Park Authorities Association
Amanda Brace - Policy Officer, ENPAA (m) 07801 966 084
Broads Authority
Hilary Franzen Press Officer (w) 01603 610734
Dartmoor National Park Authority
John Weir Communications Officer (w) 01626 832093
Exmoor National Park Authority
Clare O’Conner Communications Manager (w) 01398 322244
Lake District National Park Authority
Mick Casey Communications Manager (w) 01539 792683
New Forest National Park Authority
Martin O'Neill Head of Communications (w) 01590 646647
North York Moors National Park Authority
Rachel McIntosh Communications Officer (w) 01439 770657
Northumberland National Park Authority
Frances Whitehead Communications Officer (w) 01434 611542
Peak District National Park Authority
John Fern Head of Communications (w) 01629 816356
Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority
Nick Oldham Media Officer (w) 01756 751616
