WITH Hinkley getting the green light, communities in Sedgemoor and West Somerset are urged being reminded to apply for grants from a £7.2million funding pot.


The fund was secured from EDF Energy after West Somerset Council gave planning permission for the site at Hinkley Point to be prepared for the C station development. It is known as the Community Impact Mitigation Fund (CIM). 


CIM-funded projects can be large or small – but must be directly linked to impacts from Hinkley Point C and seek to improve the economic, social or environmental wellbeing of affected communities. 


Cllr Peter Downing, portfolio holder for infrastructure, from Sedgemoor District Council, said: “We know there will be challenges ahead, as there are with any large development projects, but there will equally be opportunities that we don’t want local residents, clubs and groups to missing out on.”


Projects already supported by the fund include £600,000 towards the redevelopment of the Victory Hall in Stogursey (£600,000), and £200,000 to The Sydenham and Bower Health and Wellbeing Group towards the revamp of Coronation Park on Parkway in Bridgwater (£200,000) and £14,500 was awarded to Victoria Park Community Centre in Bridgwater to support a Digital Inclusion project and job club.