COMMUNITY groups and organisations, or anyone with an idea to benefit Callington, are being encouraged to come forward to apply for funding from a pot of money from the town council.

Callington Town Council is in the process of writing to Cornwall Council to access the £25,000 community benefit payment from the installation of the Haye Road Solar Farm in 2013.

Town clerk Helen Dowdall said: 'The council is taking the initiative to write to Cornwall Council to ask to be the facilitator of the money, so we can offer it for community projects.

'We originally thought we would be getting a large sum of money for the town but it transpired that we would get £25,000, but we believe any money is better than nothing.

'We have asked to be the accountable body for the money as we are at grassroots level with the town's residents.'

The council is inviting applications for ideas for community projects or funding for community groups and organisations — anything that is deemed to be of benefit to the town.

Application forms are currently being devised and will be available from the council in early May. Closing dates for applications will be at the end of May with decisions to be made in early June.

Helen added: 'I would hope a number of groups could benefit from this so get your thinking caps on and get a piece of this open purse!'

The money was given as a community benefit payment from the building of the solar farm. At the time of the application, the town council believed the original community benefit from the development would total £625,000 over a 25-year period.

However, when a different company took over the application it only offered to give a one-off payment of £25,000 for the town's benefit.

The solar farm development was recommended for refusal by the town council but was approved by Cornwall Council in 2011.

Original applicant Sunpower had included in its promotional material a proposal to give £25,000 a year for the 25-year life of the farm to the town council for community benefit. However, when new owner Inazin took over the application, it only offered a one-off payment of £25,000.

The town council tried to fight for the greater amount but was told that because there was not a unilateral agreement in place, the company was not obliged to offer any money.

Any groups that would like to apply for a portion of the £25,000 can obtain an application form from the town council office in New Road or by visiting http://www.callington-tc.gov.uk">www.callington-tc.gov.uk from the beginning of May.