Welsh government pauses coastal regeneration fund

The National Lottery Community Fund and The Welsh Government have agreed to pause Round 6 of The Welsh Government’s Coastal Communities Fund, due to the coronavirus pandemic.

They’ve made the decision to remove any additional workload faced by potential applicants so that they can focus on what is best for them and their customers during these unprecedented times.

However the fund will still be available and both organisations say they want applicants to still be apply to access it, if they still can.

They will now begin a ‘listening phase’ to gather feedback from the business community and stakeholders. This will inform the future roll out of the programme and a new timetable for applications as necessary.

Announced last week (March 23), the fund will offer individual grants of between £50,000 and £300,000 for initiatives that focus on job creation, protection, and high street rejuvenation in coastal areas.

It’s intended for private sector firms, statutory bodies, and third sector organisations. Projects must be based within 3 miles of the coast but other projects that have a clear connection to local coastal communities may also be accepted.

Projects to win funding in previous rounds include Halen Môn which received a £191,817 grant to provide a permanent building to house the organisation’s Salt-Cote and Visitor Centre. Milford Haven Port Authority were awarded £139,568 to install four fully-accessible floating hotel rooms in the marina. Creating Enterprise received a £174,580 grant to build innovative timber frames for new build housing developments and affordable homes across North Wales.