Two projects in Bath and North East Somerset that have a positive impact on the environment have been awarded £128,000.
The Trinity Hub in Radstock | Photo © B&NES Council
The second round of the West of England Rural England Prosperity Fund has supported the Trinity Hub Project with £56,000 of funding, which aims to transform a former redundant Methodist church building owned by Radstock Town Council into a community hub with a library, arts and cultural venue, café, and rentable office accommodation.
The first phase will be completed in 2026 and includes works to improve the building’s energy efficiency, replace the roof, install rooftop solar panels and furnish the main hall.
The project also received a further £255,000 for building works and £28,500 for a community hub manager from the West of England UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) in a previous round of funding.
More than £71,000 has been awarded to Fairy Hill Solar Farm at Compton Dando, a community solar project to generate clean energy, recycle money back into communities, improve biodiversity and enable local people to take greater control over energy.
A key benefit of the scheme is the contribution it makes towards Bath and North East Somerset’s Net Zero target.
The project has been developed by not-for-profit community business, Bath and West Community Energy (BWCE) in partnership with the local community. The project is currently at the planning application stage.
The funding for both projects was awarded following successful bids made by Bath & North East Somerset Council, after extensive partnership working with Radstock Town Council and BWCE to be ready to deliver the schemes.
Councillor Paul Roper, cabinet member for economic and cultural sustainable development, said: “This funding is having a tangible and positive impact on communities in Bath and North East Somerset, empowering them to create local facilities that support both people and the environment.
“I’m proud that our Regeneration Team has been instrumental in making these fantastic partnership projects happen.
“The projects are excellent examples of how communities are enhancing their resilience and contributing to a more sustainable B&NES and I welcome this great news.”
Councillor Chris Dando, Mayor of Radstock Town Council, said: “We are thrilled to see the phase 2 works proceed.
“Trinity has been a part of the community for over 120 years and thanks to funding and support will now continue to be a space for the whole community for the future.
“Radstock has outgrown the current community library space, which is great news, but to have a new large multi-use space really is incredible. This funding will really mean a huge difference for Radstock.”
Peter Capener, managing director at Bath and West Community Energy, said: “We are delighted to be working again alongside Bath & North East Somerset Council in delivering another community renewables scheme.
“The grant will help deliver a scheme that will not only reduce carbon emissions within the district but also offer significant community benefit and retain value within the local economy that would have otherwise drained out of the area.”
Helen Godwin, the Mayor of the West of England, said: “It’s important that rural businesses and communities in our region are provided with more funding.
“Our regional authority is investing in projects across the West, working with the council to support productivity and prosperity in rural areas including here in North East Somerset.”
The projects are funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, managed by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority.
