| 1. Overall targets |
| The following targets reflect the
aims of the Wildspace! scheme:
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To increase the number of Local Nature Reserves
(or LNRs) in England. |
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200 new LNRs declared over the life of the
Wildspace! grant scheme |
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| Our funding priorities for new Local Nature
Reserves (or LNRs) will be to those: |
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in, or which will benefit communities
in, areas of urban and rural deprivation; |
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in, or which will benefit, areas
where people lack access to natural open space; |
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by local authorities that have
not previously made a LNR declaration; |
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that will benefit people with mobility
or learning difficulties; |
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that will provide a focus for environmental
education; |
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that will enable significant local
biodiversity gains to be realised. |
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Realise the potential of LNRs for wildlife
and the community by enhancing the quality of experience for
users. |
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To give grants towards the 'visitor friendly'
enhancement of 2 LNRs per Region that can be used as examples
of best practice from which others will learn. |
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| In awarding grants we will look for projects
that: |
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enable new 'friends of' groups
to be established; |
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enable new community groups/ individuals
to enjoy LNRs, their management and development work; |
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show innovation in their approach
to LNR interpretation and community involvement; |
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make LNRs safe, accessible and enjoyable
places for all to visit; |
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enable local biodiversity gains
to be realised. |
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To enable the employment of Community Liaison
Officers to facilitate community participation in the management
and development of LNRs. |
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To give grants towards the employment of
46 CLOs throughout the life of the Wildspace! Scheme. |
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| Our funding priorities will be the employment
of CLOs: |
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in, or who will benefit, areas
of urban and rural deprivation; |
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in, or who will benefit, areas
which lack accessible natural open space; |
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to facilitate projects that are
innovative in their approach; |
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to enable long term community 'ownership'
of LNRs; |
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where new communities and groups
will be encouraged to experience LNRs; |
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to facilitate projects which will
benefit those with mobility or learning difficulties. |
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To promote the use of LNRs for environmental
education. |
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To give grants towards the development of
2 LNRs per region as centres of excellence for environmental
education from which others will learn. |
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| In awarding grants we will look for projects
that: |
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provide for young people disadvantaged
by lack of access to natural open space; |
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provide for those with learning
or mobility difficulties; |
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are in, or will benefit, areas
of urban and rural deprivation; |
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show innovation/ promote good practice; |
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offer training, learning and personal
development opportunities. |
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| 2. Funding distribution targets |
| 2.1 The Programme Board and Wildspace!
Panel have agreed that the relative funding split between the different
elements of the grant scheme will be as follows: |
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45% to support project work on
LNRs |
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50% to support the employment of
Community Liaison Officers (CLOs) |
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5% to enable the purchase of land
for the purpose of declaring LNRs |
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| 2.2 To meet the aims of the Wildspace!
scheme and its partners and to have the widest appreciable benefits
for people and wildlife, it is proposed that in awarding grants 70%
of the overall grant distribution (£3,870,798) should be to projects
that satisfy the following: |
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Local authority areas of high deprivation
- DETR index of local deprivation 1998, local authority areas
with scores 10 and above |
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Local authority areas of high rural
deprivation - CA deprivation indices/ European Structural Fund
areas |
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Areas of high population density
- local authority areas with 1000 people per sq km and above
- it is recognised that rural local authority areas, particularly
those of high deprivation, will often have low overall population
densities and this needs to be taken in to account |
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| We will also take in to consideration
the level of LNR provision (more or less than 1ha of LNR per 1000
people) and access to other natural open space. |
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| 2.3 To meet English Nature's aim
to improve access to natural open space within the context of the
Wildspace! scheme and to enable us to reflect local pockets of deprivation
in areas that do not satisfy the criteria above, it is proposed that
30% of the overall grant distribution (£1,658,914) should be to projects
which satisfy the following; |
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Promote access and accessibility
to LNRs - this refers not only to physical access but also to
encouraging the use of LNRs by different cultural and social
groups, particularly those currently underrepresented |
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Demonstrate a high level of innovation
- to encourage applicants to think more broadly about how they
will engage with local communities in their LNR work to reach
a wider/ new audience |
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Provide a focus for environmental
education and promote best practice - LNRs are often situated
within walking distance of local schools, however, are generally
underused as an educational resource |
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Demonstrate high levels of community
participation - where practicable, all projects grant aided
should demonstrate community participation |
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Enable high local biodiversity gains
to be realised - to help deliver LBAPs and other local environmental
plans and strategies |
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