More than £800,000 has been awarded to Uttlesford District Council to invest in rural community projects, including in Saffron Walden and Dunmow.

The Rural England Prosperity Fund has been provided as an addendum to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

It succeeds EU funding which was part of the Rural Development Programme for England, with a total of up to £110 million available nationally for 2023/24 and 2024/25.

The programme will provide capital support to new and existing rural businesses to promote growth and diversification, as well as cultural, historic and heritage institutions to strengthen the rural economy and rural communities.

Funding will be offered across the whole of Uttlesford for capital projects which create lasting assets, such as buildings or equipment.

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Grants of between £5,000 and £150,000 will be available to support new and existing rural businesses in creating more commercial spaces, farm diversification and extending the tourist season.

Cultural, historic and heritage institutions will be able to receive grants of between £1,000 and £15,000.

Cllr Petrina Lees, leader of the council, said: "This new grant scheme will give a much-needed boost to rural business owners and farmers, and also to cultural and heritage organisations which make up such an intrinsic part of the district’s identity."