THOUSANDS of pounds has been added to a new fund designed to support community causes in areas surrounding a new wind farm.

As part of preparations for the construction of its Moor House wind farm, on the outskirts of Darlington, Banks Renewables set aside £10,000 to pay for hedge planting that residents in nearby communities had asked for to reduce their views of the turbines.

A three-year applications period ended earlier this year, with around £2,700 of the budget claimed.

The left over cash will now be funnelled into a community benefits fund with money immediately available to groups neighbouring the wind farm.

The fund linked to the Moor House wind farm, which sits on land near Barmpton village, will provide over £750,000 of funding through the project’s 25-year lifespan.

Lewis Stokes, community relations manager at the Banks Group, says: “Providing this additional money will enable us to make an even faster start with the Moor House community fund, and to thereby bring more tangible benefits to the local area even more quickly.

"We’ve already had some interesting ideas on how this money might best be used, but are keen to hear more and would very much encourage all local people to think about how the fund might be able to support their favourite activities and events.”

Eligible projects lie within Sadberge, Bishopton, East and West Newbiggin, Bishopton, Little Stainton, Great Stainton, Great Burdon, Barmpton and Brafferton, and in areas of Whinfield, Harrowgate Hill, Beaumont Hill and Coatham Mundeville, which are north of the A1150 and east of the A167.

The first meeting of the community panel that will decide which grant applications receive support was held recently, with Haughton Cricket Club being awarded the first grant to purchase a new set of sightscreens.

The maximum grant available per project is likely to be £3,000, although applications for higher amounts will be considered in special circumstances.

Funding applications can be submitted at any time, with the committee meeting every few months to consider them. Projects, community groups, or voluntary organisations looking for grant funding can call James Eaglesham on 0191-3786342 or visit banksgroup.co.uk