The LAG is particularly looking to support projects that will enhance the visitor experience linked to the waterways and the wash (eg facilities for boating, cycle hire, walking, fishing, food, retail,  accommodation, etc).

The LAG will also prioritise projects that have the potential to create skilled employment for local people.

Aid is available to help attract more visitors to rural areas and to develop the tourism sector of the economy and to make the sector more efficient.  Eligible projects might include;

• small-scale infrastructure such as signage and interpretation boards
• recreational infrastructure to give better access to historic sites and areas of natural beauty
• the provision of new accommodation, and upgrading of existing accommodation (this needs to be justified by wider benefits to the locality – i.e. tourism in general may be being held back by a lack of accommodation in the area)
• development and marketing of rural tourism services
• developing clusters and initiatives to better meet visitor needs
• collaboration in the tourism sector including benchmarking of business performance
• supporting the development of new or ‘niche’ markets, such as ‘green tourism’ or activities linked to local food culture, history, or rural crafts
• improved use of IT – for example internet promotion and booking services

Eligible Activities:-

• small-scale infrastructure such as information centres and the signposting and interpretation of tourist sites
• recreational infrastructure such as that offering access to natural areas and the historic environment
• small-capacity accommodation provision and upgrading of existing provision when justified by significant wider benefits
• the development and/or marketing of rural tourism services
• assisting tourism providers to develop clusters and business initiatives to meet visitor needs and market their products and services
• networking and collaboration within the tourism industry including benchmarketing
• supporting the development of new niche markets eg 'green tourism'
• promotion of tourism activities linked ot quality regional and local food culture and rural crafts
• improved information and booking arrangements, including e-tourism and other use of ICT

Eligible Costs:-

• grant aid towards the costs of small-scale capital investments
• fesaibility studies and start-up revenue costs
• cost of establishing collaborative initiatives
• marketing support and market development activities, directly linked to an investment under this measure
• tecnhical support to help new businesses become established and to help existing businesses to improve the quality of their services, consolidate and expand

Outputs - Depending on the level of grant requested, we will expect eligible grant recipients to achieve the following:-

• Number of new tourism actions supported
• Additional number of overnight stays by tourists
• Additional number of day visitors
• Number of Jobs created
• Total volume of investment

Contact Details

For further information, please contact:-

Frances McIntyre
Local Action Group Manager
Wash Fens Rural Development Programme
c/o South Holland District Council
Priory Road
Spalding
Lincolnshire    PE11 2XE

Tel:  01775 7644496 or 07920 295150
e-mail:   Please complete form on contacts page