NEW Hinkley Point C community funding of £15 million, to be administered by Somerset Community Foundation, has just been announced.

The Hinkley Point C Community Fund, which includes two new programmes for small and large grants, will complement the existing Community Impact Mitigation (CIM) Fund administered by West Somerset Council.

The new funding has been created by EDF Energy and aims to improve the wellbeing of communities affected by the Hinkley Point C development or any of its associated off-site projects.

Grant applications can be for large or small projects but they must be directly linked to the effects of Hinkley Point C. Projects that seek to help communities benefit from positive opportunities offered by the development are also being encouraged.

A new website has been launched at hpcfunds.co.uk to provide a central point for the new grant programmes as well as the existing CIM Fund.

Justin Sargent, chief executive officer of Somerset Community Foundation, said: “We look forward to seeing a variety of creative projects and ways of mitigating the impacts of Hinkley Point C in our communities, as well as making the most of the opportunities the project offers.

“These projects will help Somerset during the Hinkley Point C development and will leave a lasting legacy for many years to come.”

He said the new website would help guide people to the correct programme for their proposals, while staff at both Somerset Community Foundation and West Somerset Council were available to advise and support groups through the application process.

Cllr Mandy Chilcott, West Somerset Council’s lead member for resources, said: “There have been many organisations right across the area that have already been awarded funds from the Hinkley CIM Fund and we have seen varied and exciting projects come to fruition.

“I welcome the launch of the two new grant programmes and urge any organisation looking to fund a project large or small that is linked to impacts of the Hinkley Point C Project, to visit the new website.

“It only takes a moment to look and could be a step towards getting projects off the ground that help make a real difference in people’s communities.”

The CIM Fund launched in June 2014 and has awarded £3.77m, supporting 34 projects – and drawn down a further £6.2m of match-funding into Somerset.