Is funding available for my proposal?
You proposal may be eligible for funding through one of the following schemes:
The Business Rate Relief Scheme allows farmers to pay half price rates for five years on all new small-scale non-agricultural businesses with a rateable value of £6,000 or less. To qualify properties have to have been in agricultural use for at least half of the year before the relief comes into effect. For more information on this scheme please contact the Business Rates Service Helpline on 01274 437744.
England Rural Development Programme (ERDP) is a government funded programme to provide assistance for rural development. The scheme seeks to assist the adaptation and development of rural areas, economies and communities and improvement of the rural environment through two types of programme: Project based schemes which contribute to the development of rural business and individuals involved in them and land based schemes which are concerned with conservation and the improvement of the rural environment.
Further information on this scheme can be found at http://www.defra.gov.uk/erdp/about/aboutindex.htm or by contacting DEFRA Regional Office for Yorkshire and the Humber on 01132 2303987 or email enquiries.yorkshumber@defra.gsi.gov.uk.
Further information about funding resources available in rural areas can be found in the document entitled "Funding Resources for Rural Areas" which has been produced by the Council and Business Link West Yorkshire. If you would like a copy of this document please contact the Rural Affairs Unit on 01274 433715.
Planning permission where required is also often a prerequisite of obtaining funding for a particular project.
