Deadline: 5-Sep-22
The Government of UK is inviting proposals from local authorities to create new or significantly refurbished green spaces in urban areas that need it most.
Goals
To increase:
- access to quality green space in deprived urban areas
- tree-planting in urban areas
- pride in our local places
What They Expect From You?
- Create a new, or significantly refurbished, park that is free to access for the community
- Plant and maintain trees in your green space
- Work towards Green Flag Award status upon completion
- Consult and engage with your community during project design and delivery whenever possible.
- Participate in monitoring work and collaborate with us to co-design evaluation activities that will help us measure the social value and pride in place outcomes in your local area.
Funding Information
- The Government is making £9 million available in equal grants for the creation or significant refurbishment of green spaces in urban areas that need it most across the UK.
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Eligible councils that opt in will receive an equal grant of £85,000 consisting of:
- Up to £47,500 capital for creation or improvement of the park
- Up to £18,500 revenue for project prep, creation and maintenance
- Up to £19,000 ‘tree uplift’ for tree planting and related costs
- Eligible councils will also receive an initial site assessment by Green Flag Awards, which the department has paid for to the value of £450.
Activities
Attractive open spaces which are easy to access, with activities for all to enjoy, can encourage physical activity.
- Nature- Prioritising nature so that diverse ecosystems can flourish to ensure a healthy, natural environment that supports and enhances biodiversity. Plan for trees and other planting within public spaces for people to enjoy, while also providing shade, and air quality and climate change mitigation.
- Materials- Using materials that are fit for purpose and adaptable over time, reducing the need for unnecessary waste and minimising their environmental impact.
- Placemaking- Well-designed spaces integrate well with, and are shaped by, an understanding of the local context that identifies opportunities for design as well as constraints upon it.
- Accessibility- Encouraging social interaction so that spaces are open and accessible to all local communities.Identifying local needs and demands that well-located new facilities may satisfy.
- Safety- Careful planning and design create the right conditions for people to feel safe and secure, without the need for additional security measures.
- Maintenance and lifespan- Spaces that are robust, easy to use and look after, enable users to establish a sense of ownership and belonging. They are designed so management and maintenance responsibilities are clearly defined.
Eligibility Criteria
- Local authority areas which rate highly on the Index of Multiple Deprivation and have limited access to green space
- Those eligible are pre-approved for funding and only need to opt in
- Should any opt out, the next eligible council will be invited to apply.
For more information, visit Govt. of UK.
For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/levelling-up-parks-fund-prospectus/levelling-up-parks-fund-prospectus
