Grant awarded to develop major new scheme in Lune Valley

A Yorkshire Dales charity has been awarded a National Lottery Heritage Fund grant to develop a major heritage and nature recovery scheme in the Lune Valley.

Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust (YDMT) has been awarded a grant of £100,202 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund for the project ‘Building capacity and resilience of the Three Counties Partnership’.

Spanning three counties, this preparatory project is the basis for a major heritage and nature recovery scheme in the Lune Valley, to ensure it is sustainable and cared for into the future.

“This funding will help develop the Three Counties Partnership and improve collaboration in natural and heritage conservation across three counties. It is an amazing opportunity to connect with all communities and user groups throughout the Lune valley, through survey, workshops, events and activities for young people. Throughout the project is a golden thread of nature recovery and connections with the next generation,” said YDMT Programme Manager, Rima Berry.  

Using money raised by National Lottery players, The National Lottery Heritage Fund supports projects that connect people and communities with the UK’s heritage.

The grant will fund work to further develop the Three Counties Partnership and its governance with consultancy support, improving resilience of the partnership, and gathering evidence to ensure good planning for natural and cultural co-created heritage projects.

A Young Leaders programme and youth steering group will be developed through engagement with schools and youth organisations.

Communities across the Lune Valley will be consulted to establish access priorities and current use, as well as identifying rural skills gaps and opportunities to address them. New connections will be made across Lancashire and South Cumbria to inform future partnership projects.

Research and analysis of existing nature recovery and catchment plans will lead to the development of a cohesive nature recovery strategy and a survey of the Lune Valley Ramble will ascertain its condition and suitability to better meet user needs.

The Three Counties Partnership consists of public and voluntary sector organisations with a common interest in the Lune valley; the Forest of Bowland National Landscape, Lancaster City Council, Lancashire County Council, Lune Rivers Trust, North Yorkshire Council, Sustrans, Westmorland and Furness Council, Cumbria Wildlife Trust, YDMT and Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA).