COMMUNITY groups which have applied for thousands of pounds for projects in West Somerset through the Hinkley C mitigation fund look set to miss out.

The Hinkley Point C Planning Obligations Board has been assessing nine applications to the Community Impact Mitigation fund – and is only recommending giving cash to two.

West Somerset Council’s cabinet was due to discuss the recommendations yesterday (Wednesday) before they go to full council.

In recommending that seven of the applicants be refused, the Planning Obligations Board said many had not shown a “clear link” between their projects and the ongoing site work at Hinkley C.

The CIM fund has been given to West Somerset Council by EDF Energy, to be made available to communities that will be most affected by work on Hinkley C. West Somerset has been allocated £2million.

Those the Board is recommending miss out include the Minehead Jubilee Clock Tower, the Williton Bowling Club, Allerford and Selworthy Community Hall and the Porlock Bay Shellfish Project.

Roger Hall, a member of Porlock Futures, the group behind the Porlock Bay Shellfish Project, which asked for money towards a website, said: “It will be a shame if we don’t get the grant because as Porlock is at the end of the A39, we will be affected by the traffic created by the preparation works for Hinkley C.

“We feel that it would deter visitorscoming to Porlock, so we feel that a website would help to remind people that we coming to Porlock, so we feel that a website would help to remind people that we are here.”

Graham Story, Allerford and Selworthy Community Hall treasurer, told the County Gazette the hall had made a “strong case” for money towards refurbishing the hall.

He said: “We feel that as a community we will be greatly affected by the transport issues arising out of the Washford Roundabout works and that mending the village hall would benefit the community.”

A bid for £1,000 towards the overall £18,000 cost of the Minehead Jubilee Clock Tower is also recommended for refusal.

Sally Bainbridge, chairman of the Minehead Jubilee Project, told the Gazette: “It is disappointing that we might not be getting the funding but it has not put us off and the project will continue to go ahead.”

However, West Somerset District Councillor Cllr Hugh Davies, said: “I can understand why the local communities have applied for the fund but I can also see why they are likely to be rejected.

“Funding is for those directly disrupted by the works.

“Some of the communities that have applied are quite far out from the immediate disruption.”

Tropiquaria Zoo is recommended to receive £40,000, towards relocating primates which will be affected by the works at Washford Cross roundabout, as reported on last week’s County Gazette.

However, a request for a further £135,000 for replacement windows at the zoo’s main building is not recommended for approval.

A spokesperson for the zoo said they did not wish to comment until a decision has been made.

An EDF Energy spokesman said: “The CIM fund is available for the local communities most impacted by the preparation works ahead of the construction of Hinkley Point C.

“Local groups can apply for funding to improve quality of life within the area or for a project that represents a real community benefit, such as playing fields, community hall or other facility or service for local residents.”