Flintshire County Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration and Tourism, Councillor Matt Wright, has welcomed news that Flintshire’s rural communities are to benefit from funding recently awarded by the Welsh Assembly Government.
Four projects worth nearly £5 million have been successful in attracting funding from the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-2013, which is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD). The Rural Development Plan supports projects that facilitate the diversification of the rural economy, improve the quality of life and encourage innovation and good practice in rural development.
The projects which will be implemented include:
Flintshire Enterprise Project which will provide business start up support and funding for young people, the under-employed and community groups.
Flintshire Village Enhancements will provide opportunities to invest in rural community facilities and infrastructure and will regenerate key destinations such as Mold, Holywell, Talacre and Gronant.
Linking Flintshire’s Communities will develop a network of footpaths, bridleways and cycle paths to link rural towns and villages.
Innovation Flintshire will help to strengthen the county’s rural areas by promoting innovation, protecting significant sites of interest and developing community links.
The projects will start in March 2011 and will run until December 2013 and will be delivered by Flintshire County Council and rural development agency Cadwyn Clwyd.
Councillor Matt Wright, County Council Executive Member for Regeneration and Tourism said:
“This is excellent news for Flintshire’s rural communities. These projects have the potential to make a real difference to the lives of rural residents. The projects will provide significant investment opportunities for our rural towns and villages, making them more attractive places to live, work and visit.”
The projects formed part of a Business Plan which was submitted to the Assembly by the County Council on behalf of the Flintshire Rural Partnership.
John Richards, Chair of the Flintshire Rural Partnership, said: “The Partnership welcomes the financial support that has been provided by the Assembly. We hope to build on the success and positive outcomes that have been achieved by other Rural Development Plan funded projects that have been implemented over the past two years.”
The funding comprises grant funding through the Welsh Assembly Government and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) along with cash funding or volunteer time from a range of other organisations.
For further information contact: Sharon Barlow, Rural Development Officer, Flintshire County Council on 01352 702135.
