GRANTS of more than £13,000 for community projects in Minehead and Bicknoller were approved by West Somerset Council’s cabinet last week.

The money, from the Planning Obligations Allocation – provided by developers to counteract negative aspects of schemes on the community – will go towards the Bicknoller village hall and shop project and to improve walking and cycling facilities in Minehead.

Cabinet members agreed to the allocation of £8,050 towards Minehead Town Council’s £13,000 community infrastructure project.

A total of £6,000 will be used for enhancing footpath and cycleway links between Morrison’s supermarket and the town centre and £1,550 for walking and cycling facilities in the Alcombe area.

It was also agreed that £500 should be used for community enhancement in the town, including benches, picnic tables and cycle racks.

It was hoped that the Minehead project would help raise awareness of existing facilities across the area as well as encouraging walking, cycling and outdoor recreation.

In a report presented by Cllr Martin Dewdney, resources and general support lead, cabinet members were told that an allocation of £5,000 would go towards the Bicknoller project costing £124,000.

A significant part of this total would come from local trades and labour volunteers.

The report added that the Bicknoller project would bring two main benefits to the village. The plan was to create a new community area behind the shop where residents could meet each other socially.

This would particularly benefit people living alone or who were less physically active.

Improvements to the village hall kitchen and the creation of a bar would help to make the hall into a better social centre with improved recreational facilities which, it was hoped, would “encourage greater community cohesion”.