TAVISTOCK and District Conservation Project looks likely to get the grant it needs from the National Lottery Charities Board to carry on.
The group was in danger of closing down because of delay by the board in processing its application for £120,000. It has been kept going by generous donations by local people amounting to around £900.
The Times this week week contacted West Devon MP John Burnett, who had written to the lottery board on behalf of the project. He said: 'It is a worthwhile project and I feel confident that it will shortly hear from the board. I hope the project will get all it has asked for.'
George Swayne, the group's treasurer, said he was encouraged, but no plans could be made until confirmation had been received, which might not be until the beginning of March.
After that he hoped the team could go back to full-time working.
The conservation project, which has been caring for the local environment for ten years, applied in July for a renewal of its Lottery grant and was promised a reply by December, but none came.
It was then told January 4 was the date for a decision. But on January 4 it had a letter saying the decision had been deferred to February 8.
The group has three staff to pay, as well as a minibus to run and expenses for 50 volunteers and office overheads. It applied for £120,000 from the Lottery, out of a £230,000 budget for the next three years.
The conservation project has been notable for its work on paths such as the Tamar Valley Trail, the Two Castles Trail and Tavistock Viaduct Walk.
It has also built walls, maintained hedges, dug ponds, planted woods, guided walks and sold vegetable boxes.