King West assist rural businesses to secure grant funding

The Rural Development Programme for England (2007 - 2013) is funded by EU and DEFRA, through revenue avenues such as modulation. The total RDPE budget over the 7 years is £3.9 billion. £3.3 billion of this is allocated to Land Management schemes and the remaining £600 million is allocated to Socio Economic projects, more commonly known as ‘grant funding’. Of this £600 million, £61 million has been allocated to The East Midlands Development Agency (EMDA) and is available for the following Socio Economic categories:
                                     
1. Diversification

• Retail (farm shop, butchery)
• Self-made products (ice cream, farm restaurant)
• Services industries (renovate buildings into office, meeting rooms)
• Environmental services (recycling centre, waste storage, composting)
• Novel Crops and Livestock (pharmaceutical crops, herbs, ostrich, quail

2. Renewable Energy (On-farm and Off-farm Use)

• Biomass heating system (horticultural green houses)
• Wind turbines (reduce electricity costs)
• Solar
• Hydro
• Anaerobic digestion

3. Improving the Economic value of forests

• Harvesting (specialist machinery)
• Production (chippers, cutters and special machinery
• Marketing

4. Adding value to products

• Meat (abattoir)
• Milk (cheese, yogurt)
• Grain processing (collective storage, drying, handling (adds efficiency))
• Grain products (flour, biscuits, cereals, animal feed)
  

5. Cooperation for development of new products

• Cooperation between producers and processors                                      
• Joint business ventures

6. Water resource & nutrient management

• Catchment, treatment and re-suing for livestock and horticulture 
• Storage reservoirs
• Irrigation

7. Vocational training & skills

• Animal health and welfare
• Management skills
• Media training
• Presentation skills

8. The LEADER approach

• Local groups to discuss project ideas and plans

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25% - 50% of project cost may be grant funded, however, this may increase in response to the current economic climate. The maximum sum payable is £450,000 and the minimum is £25,000. Therefore, the minimum total eligible project cost is £50,000. Funding is not available to fund projects to comply with legislation, for example, NVZ slurry stores.

Eligible costs include                                                  

• Property, machinery, equipment
• Professional fees (following submission of application)
• Salaries / overheads
• Market research / feasibility studies
• ‘In kind’ contribution in certain circumstances

• Fees for preparation and submission of application
• Work undertaken before receiving a grant offer

Applications for funding are split into two stages:

Stage 1 - Expression of interest form

The applicant is required to submit brief details of when and where the project will be and an approximate cost. No planning permission is required and EMDA will respond within 3 weeks. If eligible, EMDA will invite the applicant to Stage 2.

Stage 2 - Full application                   

The applicant is required to submit full details, including planning consent and detailed costings.

King West are able to assist client throughout all stages of the grant application process and project management. Please contact the Land Agency department at either Stamford or Market Harborough for details.

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