Rural projects on Northumberland Coast and in National Park get funding boost

14 rural projects in Northumberland are set for a boost after the county council was awarded a share of £3.5m in funding.

Among the 14 projects are plans to improve Hauxley Nature Reserve for volunteers and visitors, the installation of solar panels and batteries onto community buildings across the county, the development of a sustainable travel and transport plan for Holy Island, and the creation of a "world class" accessible mountain bike trail in Kielder Forest. The schemes are initially focused in two pilot areas covering the Northumberland National Park and the Northumberland Coast National Landscape.

In the National Park, projects totalling £1.1 million will invest in skills and training, with the intention of developing green jobs and improving accessibility through pedestrian and cycle routes. Proposals are also in place to improve access at two popular tourist sites, Walltown Country Park and Hareshaw Linn.

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The funding is from the Rural Asset Multiplier Pilot Programme (RAMP), with the aim of the programme to improve rural community facilities, health and wellbeing, develop volunteer opportunities and support community resilience. Coun Richard Wearmouth, deputy leader of Northumberland County Council, said: "The RAMP programme is supporting projects large and small, from improvements to a threshing barn to create an accessible creative arts activity space, through to major developments at the National Park.

"What they all have in common is a focus on growing the economy, enhancing the environment, and supporting rural communities. Projects are delivering locally led and integrated approaches to tackling economic, environmental and community challenges and taking advantage of opportunities throughout rural Northumberland."

Tony Gates, chief executive of Northumberland National Park, said the funding was a "welcome boost" and his hope that they would have a positive impact on the regeneration of the North East. He said: "The UK is currently facing crises of nature, health and climate and National Parks can help to address some of society’s greatest challenges.

"Our three flagship projects will connect more people with the landscape for their greater well-being, create new career paths to green jobs which will help tackle climate change and biodiversity loss, and enhance the overall experience for people visiting Northumberland National Park with more accessible walking routes through the Miles without Stiles standard.

On the Northumberland coast, RAMP projects are set to deliver at the Lesbury Community Hub, Northumberland Wildlife Trust, and the Holy Island of Lindisfarne Community Development Trust.

Alex Lister, Northumberland Wildlife Trust's landscape manager at Druridge Bay, said: "It's great to have received such an amazing cash boost from RAMP. The money received has enabled us to appoint a communities officer who is going to be out and about in the local community enthusing people about wildlife as well as build a new wildlife watching hide and new workshop and tools to support our Hauxley practical conservation volunteers."