South west awarded £15.5m fund to help tackle water quality

A scheme open to farmers and land managers to help tackle water pollution has been re-launched in the south west of England.

Indeed, the Catchment Sensitive Farming Grant Scheme has re-opened for applications for a short period, beginning on March 1st and ending on April 30th.

The scheme allows those in the catchment areas to take advantage of £15.5 million funding, which can be used for a number of environment-benefiting projects, such as installing water troughs and tracks, roofs for manure and silage stores, fencing to keep livestock away from streams, and pesticide handling facilities.

One scheme that individuals are encouraged to take advantage of is water purification, as many rivers in the area have become severely polluted.

It is hoped that the fund will help boost the health of England's streams, rivers, meres and mosses, WellsPeople reports.

If a fund is approved by the government, the scheme will pay half of the project fees.

Farmers and land managers could receive up to £10,000 for their project, with no minimum.

Areas that are encouraged to take advantage of the Catchment Sensitive Farming Grant Scheme include Somerset, Wiltshire and Dorset.

The fund was launched seven years ago, and it has benefited around 6,000 farmers and managers.

Overall, it is estimated that around £54 million has been given out in environmentally-friendly grants.

Although those who have received grants before are welcome to apply, those who have not received funding will be prioritised.

It is not just grants that are available, however.

Indeed, those seeking to improve the water quality on their farm can receive advice and training from the Catchment Sensitive Farming local team, who have expertise in a wide array of topics.

More details of the Capital Grant Scheme funding priorities for 2013/14 can be found online at Natural England's website www.naturalengland.org.uk.