RURAL communities have the chance to go green as Exmoor National Park and the Exmoor Trust have announced that a new round of funding is available.

Working in partnership the Exmoor Trust and Exmoor National Park are pleased to announce a new round of funding from the Carbon Neutral Exmoor project to support community based renewable energy projects.

Through the Carbon Neutral Exmoor project, funding is available to cover the costs of installing renewable energy (including both power and heat) within community buildings across Exmoor National Park and has already been used to improve the carbon footprint of Dunster's football and cricket pavilion and Porlock Village Hall.

The funding is offered as a grant repayable via the government's Clean Energy Cashback over 10 years or until the grant is repaid (whichever is the shortest). Exmoor National Park say this is at minimal risk to the community as cashback payments are guaranteed for a 20 year period once a project is accepted and the grant is only repaid via these contributions.

Archie McIntyre, vice chairman of the Exmoor Trust said: "We’re delighted to be able to play an active role in supporting communities that wish to take advantage of cleaner and cheaper energy. Our hope is that any community organisation that is interested in sourcing alternative power or heat requirements will be able to do so without having to find the significant capital funds often required for such schemes.”

Dan James, ENP's sustainable economy manager, said: “To date the fund has been able to support over 20 community projects through the Carbon Neutral Exmoor project, incorporating a range of technology from solar panels to woodchip heating systems. Not only is this work helping to reduce carbon emissions within the National Park it is also helping to provide modern facilities within community buildings and helping them to reduce their monthly expenditure on fuel bills.”

Community buildings that have benefitted in the past have include sport clubs, village halls, community owned shops, schools and even a pub. At this stage any organisation that may be interested in taking forwards a project is encouraged to submit brief details to the Exmoor Trust as an expression of interest by the end of March 2016.