MORE than £55,000 worth of projects are being delivered by the Sustainable Development Fund, accessed by the Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The fund was created for Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty to encourage individuals, community groups and businesses to work together to develop practical and sustainable solutions to the management of their activities. The Tamar Valley AONB was able to award up £5,000 per project.

Twenty projects applied for funding – successful applicants demonstrated sustainable development, involved and supported local communities and helped to deliver the AONB Management Plan.

Projects that were innovative and provided benefits to people and wildlife in the Valley were encouraged.

Twelve projects were granted funding, following a panel meeting in late August. Total project spend in the area has been calculated at £55,452.

The range of projects supported include re-establishing breeding osprey on the Tamar Estuary through the Cornwall Wildlife Trust, planting local cherry trees in St Dominick Community Orchard, the installation of benches along the Tamar Trails, refurbishment of Landulph Memorial Hall to increase use by the community, and a Yurt for Harrowbarrow School's Forest School.

The projects that the AONB has specifically funded should all be completed by the end of December. For a full list of successful projects visit http://www.tamarvalley.org.uk/care/sdf">www.tamarvalley.org.uk/care/sdf