Eight projects share £63,000 from windfarm payments

EIGHT community-based projects in the Frodsham and Helsby area will share more than £63,000 in the latest round of awards arising from payments made by Frodsham Windfarm Ltd.
The awards have been announced by the independent Marshes Community Benefit Fund (MCBF) Panel, which allocates funds from the £120,000 community payments made annually by the windfarm.
Awards have been made to eight projects which, in the opinion of the Panel, best met the requirements and objectives of the Community Benefit Fund.
The successful applicants were:-
Runcorn Rowing Club – water treatment plant – £19,500
Frodsham CE Primary School – after school club refurb – £14,000
Helsby Sports and Social Club – fixtures and fittings for new sports club –
£13,500
Dunham Hill and Hapsford PC – speed awareness signs – £3,920
Frodsham Girl Guides – new kitchen at HQ – £6,100
Frodsham Volleyball Club – training equipment – £1,740
Elton Parish Council – defibrillator – £2,769
Elton Gardeners Association – allotment rejuvenation – £1,424
Panel chairman Dianne Walker explained that members considered the
successful projects as clearly defined with a demonstrated need, well
thought out and of significant benefit to the residents in the areas
surrounding the Frodsham Wind Farm.
As always, Panel members will be monitoring the projects as they develop
to ensure they meet the objectives and conditions set out in the signed award
agreements.
Projects that were not awarded funding in this round have also been notified.
Eligible schemes that were unsuccessful in this round may reapply for future
rounds.
Ms Walker also commented that past projects have been completed on
time and tangible benefits have already been felt in the respective communities
– photographs and reports on their progress will continue to be available to view
on the Marshes Community Benefit Fund web-site.
Anyone requiring details of the Fund and information on the application process can visit
the FAQ page. Applications for the next round of funds will re-open on December 1 and close on February 29 next year.
The Marshes Community Benefit Fund was set up by Frodsham Wind Farm
Ltd – a joint venture between Foresight Group and Peel Energy. . The £66m
project consists of 19 wind turbines on Frodsham Marshes, adjacent to the
Manchester Ship Canal and the Mersey Estuary.