Fenland District Council gives grants of up to £500 to voluntary and community groups who want to improve the area

Is there a vacant or derelict corner of your town or village that you could spruce up a little with a bit of grant funding?

Fenland District Council supports voluntary and community groups with its ‘Changing Views’ project, which provides grants of up to £500 to improve forgotten areas including land, buildings and other sites.

In previous years, the project has allowed for murals, banners, and posters to be put up to cheer up vacant buildings and the council has also supported the planting of greenery to help sites aesthetically.

Arkwright mural on an empty Chatteris shop and planting at Grays Lane, in March, are examples of this.

Cllr Peter Murphy, portfolio holder for Streetscene, said: “Fenland District Council is constantly vigilant about ways we can clear up grot spots in a permanent way, but the reality is that often the issues involved are complex, outside of our control and expensive.

“Changing Views grants are a small way we can help empower our communities to do something positive to address areas that detract from our wonderful Fenland towns and villages.

“We’d urge any voluntary or community group that has an idea they could put into action to get in touch to discuss if we can help.

“These are small fixes that can’t always stand the test of time but do go some way to giving an area and its residents and businesses a lift.”