Rural development

Ards and North Down Rural Partnership is the Local Action Group responsible for the deliver LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020.

The Partnership consist of eleven social partners and nine elected partners. 

Priority 6 of the Rural Development Programme identifies the importance of social inclusion, reducing poverty and developing the rural economy. Ards and North Down have received £3.85million for Priority 6 schemes as listed below.

1. Rural Business Investment Scheme
2. Rural Basic Services Scheme
3. Village Renewal Scheme

1. Rural Business Investment Scheme

The scheme was designed to create jobs. It provided investment support to create and develop micro and small enterprises, including farm diversification and private tourism business in rural areas.

Funding of up to £90,000 for those looking to expand or develop a rural business in Ards and North Down Borough Council area, was available at up to a 50% grant rate.

The scheme provided aid to a range of services and businesses for both resource and capital based projects.

We have supported a variety of businesses throughout this scheme and will be releasing more details in the future of the recipients and the outcomes from our rural communities and businesses.

This Scheme has now closed.

2. Rural Basic Services Scheme

The Rural Basic Services Scheme supported capital investments which provided access to basic services or improvements in social infrastructure (including activities to reduce isolation and/or poverty) to improve the welfare and access to basic services of those living in rural areas and which is an integral part of, and in line with, the Council Community Plan and emerging priorities.

The level of capital grant funding was up to a maximum grant of £200,000 (75% of total project costs).  

Projects related to the main theme of Innovative Service Delivery, such as the creation of health hubs to deliver multiple services or community hubs where the capital infrastructure is put in place to allow a number of services to be delivered to the community. Infrastructure projects were limited to small scale capital developments (up to £200,000).  Resource funding was available towards marketing and bespoke training.

This scheme supported capital investments which:
• provided access to basic services or improvements in social infrastructure, including activities to reduce isolation or poverty
• improved the welfare and access to basic services of those living in rural areas
• were in line with and integral to the Council Community Plan and emerging priorities

This Scheme is now closed.

3. Village Renewal Scheme

This scheme is council-led. It will provide financial support for the drafting of integrated village plans, and for the renewal of rural villages through prioritises outlined in existing village plans.  The scheme will build on the overarching fabric of a village or town integrating with funding from other government departments and agencies.  It will also address rural dereliction and prioritise reuse of existing derelict buildings, particularly to provide community infrastructure. 

Rural Partners
To discuss a potential project idea, contact our Rural Development office.
Telephone: 028 9147 3788
Email: info@ruralpartnersand.co.uk

The NEW Rural Business Development Grant Pilot Scheme will provide investment support for the development of existing enterprises based in a rural area of Ards and North Down to sustain or grow through DAERA’s Tackling Rural Poverty & Social Isolation (TRPSI) Programme. Capital only grants are available up to a maximum grant of £5000 available (up to 50% of the total costs of the project).

The scheme will open for applications on Monday 18 November 2019 and close at 12noon Wednesday 18 December 2019. Late applications will not be accepted.

In order to assist you, information workshops for applicants intending to apply to the Rural Business Development Grant Pilot Scheme will be held on the following dates:

Thursday 21 November 2019: 12:30pm–1:30pm  
Ards Business Centre, Sketrick House, Jubilee Road, Newtownards

Wednesday 27 November 2019: 7:00pm–8:00pm
Signal Centre, 2 Innotec Drive, Bangor, BT19 7PD

The workshops will provide more detailed information on the grant application process. A copy of the guidance notes and application form are available below:

Rural Business Scheme Guidance Notes

TRPSI Application Form

Please note the following:

• Your business must be located in a rural area* and have less than 10 full time equivalent employees. *A rural area is defined as an area with a population of less than 5,000 residents. This programme does not include towns of Bangor, Comber, Donaghadee, Holywood and Newtownards.
• The total cost of the capital project must be a minimum of £1,000 and must not exceed £20,000 of project costs. 
• Full planning permission (if required) must be in place by 18 December 2019
• Procurement is to be included (minimum of two quotations for each item to be purchased)
• The project must not have started and the proposed works must be completed by 31 March 2020. It is anticipated that grant offers will be made in mid-February 2020, and your project cannot commence until you receive a formal offer of funding. 

Registration for information workshops is essential as spaces at each session are limited. Alternatively, if you wish to speak to an Officer please contact the office.

Please register or contact a member of the Rural Development Team on 0300 013 3333 ext. 40919 or email RDP@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Up to £125,000 funding available, with the next application deadline - 31 January 2020

For more information on this scheme, please visit:

www.ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk/resident/community/regeneration/expression-of-interest-seaflag