Sherborne PC was recently invited by the National Trust to discuss an opportunity for funding for Sherborne Estate from Cotswold District Council (funding info here), and we now request comment from Sherborne residents.
Albeit relatively small scale funding (bids capped at £50k), this conversation represents progress for our collective efforts to ensure that village opinion can be heard and considered by the Trust. We encourage you all to engage with the feedback process. It is taxpayers’ money, after all.
Key Considerations
NT would like to have feedback on its SANG bid proposal, as well as to hear any alternative ideas that would fit the funding criteria.
Please use this form to submit your feedback. All responses will be treated in confidence and the form can be submitted anonymously, if preferred.
Please complete your response by the end of Monday 20th May. This will allow time for comments to be reviewed with NT, in preparation for the 31st May bid submission deadline.
All feedback will be recorded and considered for the future, regardless of the outcome of this particular funding decision.
Background information
The funding – CDC Cotswold Beechwoods Special Area of Conservation (SAC) Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace Fund (SANG)- is available to support a wider “recreation mitigation strategy” to prevent further damage caused by excessive public use of the Cotswold Beechwood area. Sherborne is therefore relevant to the funding as an alternative Cotswold greenspace for Beechwoods SAC visitors to use instead.
The Sherborne NT team was successful with a £26,000 award from this fund in 2023 (plus £10k NT budget), with which they made improvements at Ewe Pens (entrance drive and car park resurfacing, improved visitor way-marking and interpretation, the provision of 10 benches, secure cycle storage, improvements and repairs to existing track).
The NT proposal for a 2024 bid is for c. £30k CDC funding, plus £15k from NT budget (£45k total allocation). Proposed deliverables are outlined as improvements to Sabrina Way Bridleway from the Water Meadows car park to the Flyfishers’ car park, improvements to the footpath between Sherborne and Windrush, as well as potential improvements to the foot bridges / way-markings in this area.
We look forward to receiving your feedback by Monday May 20th and thank you in advance.
