South Pennines LEADER Programme 2015-2019

£1,286,000 for Rural development grants available to farmers, foresters, community enterprises and rural based businesses. We focus on 6 priority areas for investment: Support for increasing farm productivity; Support for micro and small enterprises and farm diversification; Support for rural tourism; Provision of rural services; Support for cultural and heritage activity; Support for increasing forestry productivity.

Eligibility Lower limit of £2,500 grant (Full project cost would be £6,400) This may vary in different areas No Maximum so State Aid limitations of 200,000 Euro ( circa £145,000) Grants generally for up to 40% of eligible project costs Need to provide evidence of 60% match funding Need the cashflow to pay for the project in advance as claims are made retrospectively Cannot start work until whole project has been approved

Process Complete Outline Application form Application approved by Local Action Group, Invitation to submit Full Application ( 4 months allowed) Submit Full Application, checked and appraised, final decision by LAG Contracted and project starts, Claims process to follow

Case Stdies Crib Farm Dairy Amount claimed £87,000 The project will enable Old Crib Farm to relocate the dairy into a new building this investment will increase productivity and improve production. Investment in new methods of production such as the CPI cleaning system will improve the quality and increase the shelf life of the milk which will enable the business to pursue new markets. This increase in production will enable the business to buy more produce from local farmers which can then be packaged and distributed by Old Crib Farm. This will be a more viable business option for local dairy farmers who cannot afford to milk their cows unless they receive a fair price for their milk. Currently, the dairy did not have space to produce butter but with the increase of space in the new dairy this will be made possible. This additional product will create another job in the dairy. No other dairy in the Calder Valley is producing butter so it will create another product to sit alongside the other products which will be sold to their existing customers. Full Application granted by the LAG in October 2016 The construction work has started and working towards their first claim. Autumn & Norman Hitchen 6th generation of the Hitchen family.

Bank Top Farm Amount claimed £2,688 For the purchase of a vac pac machine, scales and labelling machine which increases shelf life of the meat and the overall presentation of the product. An EID Stock Reader that allowed the farm to be more efficient in the way they work with the stock and enables them to gather more accurate information to improve the flock quality by identifying the best performing ewes producing the better growing lambs. Project completed and claim received.

Holme Valley Camping Outline Application approved currently awaiting Full Application Grant amount applied for £18,000 5 electrical hook-ups, 5 Log Pods and a small winter car parking area. The Log Pods will offer year round, heated accommodation for guests encouraging them to stay for longer periods and increase tourism during the low season.

South Pennines LEADER Area www.southpenninesleader.co.uk