Huntingdonshire District Council (HDC) has awarded a total of £257,376.60 to rural community groups. Th
e Net Zero Villages initiative encourages climate action and is funded by the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA).
11 villages across Huntingdonshire will receive funding for projects put forward by residents. The proposals will improve community buildings and green spaces while also tackling climate change.
The Net Zero Villages fund focuses on three key areas:
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Improving energy efficiency: Tackling energy use through retrofitting community buildings with energy-saving measures or renewable energy generation.
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Low carbon transport solutions: Enabling access to public transport or local services using sustainable transport options.
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Nature-based cooling solutions: Implementing green solutions to combat overheating in community buildings.
The successful projects cover a wide range of technologies. They reduce carbon emissions, promote sustainability, build nature-based solutions and encourage behaviour change. Villagers volunteering their time on all 11 projects will help speed Huntingdonshire’s wider sustainability goals. At the same time, local people will enjoy improvements to their village halls, green spaces and footpaths.
The 11 successful applicants are:
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Ramsey Pavillion Hub Retrofit Project
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Connecting Fenstanton – Fenstanton Parish Council
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Street Lights - Little Paxton Parish Council
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Energy Efficiency for Warboys Community Centre - Warboys Parish Council
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Pavilion Eco Project - Stilton Parish Council
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The Southoe and Midloe Community Hub Project - Southoe Parochial Church Council
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Renewable Energy for Great Gransden Community Buildings - Great Gransden Reading Room
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Tackling Energy Use at Yaxley’s Amenity Centre – Yaxley Parish Council
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Retrofit from Oil to Electric Heating - Great Staughton Village Hall
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Solar Panels for the Victory Field Pavillion - Catworth Playing Field Committee
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Solar Panels for the David Morris Community Room - Bluntisham Parish Council
Executive Councillor for Climate, Transformation and Workforce, Cllr Lara Davenport-Ray said: "The Net Zero Villages fund presents a fantastic opportunity for rural communities to take action on climate change. The response to the fund has been truly overwhelming. We had more than three times the number of applicants than available funding. It’s clear to me that our rural communities are enthusiastic to take climate action.
They’ll also feel the benefits of reduced energy bills and improved green spaces. Our council is committed to supporting rural residents on this journey. I’m excited to see all the projects come to life, delivering lasting benefits for current and future residents of Huntingdonshire.”
Mayor of the CPCPA, Mayor Dr Nik Johnson, said: “The Net Zero villages initiative is a vital programme empowering communities with the funding they need to make environmentally friendly changes and achieve our national Carbon Net Zero goals.
“Thank you to everyone who has applied for funding and has started thinking about the positive impact they can make - from nature-based solutions and retrofitting community buildings to enhancing public transport. These projects pave the way to reduce our carbon footprint and safeguard our region for the future."
Charity Trustee of Ramsey Pavilion Hub, Andrew Hodgson, said: “We are delighted to receive this grant funding from the Climate Conservation Fund. This will allow us to deliver solar panels on the pavilion roof to offset the cost of electricity which is annually our highest running cost for the building. This sustainable project will benefit all end users and significantly lower our carbon footprint”
Chair of Great Gransden Reading Room Management Committee, Anne Constantine, said: “Great Gransden Reading Room and Bowls and Croquet Club are delighted to have been awarded a grant from the Net Zero Villages Fund for the installation of solar PV panels and storage battery to supply clean electricity to both premises. This partnership between two adjacent community organisations will enable our net zero vision to progress using a highly suitable location for solar panels. We are grateful to HDC's Climate Conversation Team, our District Councillor and Great Gransden Parish Council for their support in making this vision a reality.
For further information on the Net Zero Villages fund and how HDC is supporting local climate action, please visit the Climate Strategy webpage.