The Bodmin and south east Cornwall projects set to benefit from cash boost
Plans include a new community nature space, plastic water refill stations and e-bikes
A series of community projects in Bodmin and South East Cornwall are set to benefit from grant funding.
The schemes include a new community nature space, plastic water refill stations, solar panels for a redeveloped building, and providing e-bikes for Bodmin residents to use.
Funding will come from the Community Infrastructure Levy Fund, which supports low-carbon projects aimed at encouraging greener living.
In the Bodmin and south east Cornwall areas, four such projects are set to benefit.
Co Cars Ltd has been given £62,500 to launch its Co Bikes scheme with 18 e-bikes for hire, available from charging points at Chy Trevail in the town centre and at least four other locations around Bodmin.
“I can’t wait to bring Co Bikes to Bodmin. Because they’re electric, the bikes give you an extra boost to eat up the miles – and hills – making them a great way to get more active and have fun whilst doing so.
“They’re also a brilliant, zero carbon alternative to the car for all sorts of day-to-day activities such as shopping and commuting as well as just enjoying exploring the local area.”
Mark Hodgson, founder and MD of Co Bikes
“There has been talk of electric bikes in Bodmin for several years and there is aspiration for all sorts of environmentally sustainable projects to make our town a local leader in promoting green initiatives.
“To be able to work with Co Bikes and other local partners also presents a fantastic opportunity to forge and strengthen local collaborations, meaning this project will help bring the town together in more ways than one.”
Fin Irwin, CEO of intoBodmin, Co Bikes’ partners on the project
The Walkerlines Gymnasium Trust in Bodmin, which bought the town’s Walker Lines Gymnasium in 2013, will receive £53,345 to install 104 solar panels, which will cover more than 50 per cent of its electricity needs.
The trust aims to create a centre that will accommodate a range of indoor activities and it will be renamed The Shed – Bodmin’s Activities Centre.
Dobwalls and Trewidland Parish Council has been awarded £30,000 to create a community nature space and for recreational activities.
A community project led by the Parish Council, it will see a field planted out by villagers, with a variety of trees as part of the Forest for Cornwall, relaying and restocking the hedgerows to attract more wildlife and wildflower planting to attract bees and insects. It will also incorporate natural walking areas to the village into a circular walk.
“This was a rare opportunity for a small rural village to access funding that is normally awarded to larger settlements.
“It would have been impossible to achieve the aspirations of the villagers without this fund and it has demonstrated that Cornwall Council considers the needs of the rural areas too."
Jane Pascoe, Cornwall Council member for Liskeard West and Dobwalls
Finally, Our Only World will get £67,500 to manufacture and place water bottle refill stations at 15 locations across Cornwall, including at Saltash, Looe, Fowey and Par.
“Firstly, this means we can help to reduce single-use plastic going into our environment, whether it’s in our sea, litter or landfill.
“Secondly, it gives us 15 opportunities to collaborate with communities and make links with locals and visitors.
“Thirdly, we have a local supply chain, located from Exeter to Callington, helping us to keep a low carbon footprint. We plan to use recycled plastic, particularly Odyssey Innovation’s recycled fishing nets collected from our Cornish beaches, which demonstrates our circular economy.”
Tina Robinson, Our Only World
“This is all about projects that are based on a low-carbon way of thinking to give their communities a greener future, so I’m really looking forward to seeing these organisations in the Bodmin and south east Cornwall areas making a real difference with this money.”
Tim Dwelly, the Council’s Portfolio Holder for Culture, Economy and Planning
“The projects that we selected, after a rigorous process, reflect the Council’s ambitions to tackle climate change and be carbon-neutral by 2030 and all four of these will make a positive contribution to that aim – I look forward to seeing the results.”
Edwina Hannaford, Portfolio Holder for Climate Change and Neighbourhoods
Since January 2019 the Council has been charging developers the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) to help reduce any adverse impact of new housing and other building projects.
CIL payments are set aside to be spent on infrastructure projects to benefit communities and support development. Between 15 to 25 per cent of the levy goes to the town or parish council where the development has taken place.
Last summer the Council invited organisations to bid for a slice of £500,000 to pay for infrastructure projects that encourage greener and healthier lifestyles.
Now the process has been completed, the total support provided by the CIL Fund could rise to £622,939, depending on whether some projects secure match-funding from elsewhere.