Anglian Water’s Thriving Communities Fund – FAQs

How do we know whether Anglian Water covers our project location?

You are eligible to apply if your project is within Anglian Water’s management area, in other words if you receive water services from Anglian Water. Anglian Water may supply either your fresh water or sewerage services or both. Use Water UK’s postcode checker to find out your supplier.

See the maps to get overview of the management areas: the black line is the boundary. Anglian Water manages water across eastern England (Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and small areas of South Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Leicestershire), as well as around Hartlepool.

Is there a maximum project duration?

There is no specific requirement for projects to be completed within a certain time frame. However, projects should be able to start promptly (within approx.6 months from the submission deadline) and the expectation is that most projects will not exceed 2-3 years duration.

Do we have to own the land where the project is based?

For projects involving major building or other capital work, the applicant must own the land or hold a minimum lease of 25 years unexpired term

Can we apply for land purchase?

Land purchase will not generally be supported, but in certain circumstances it may be possible to include land purchase if the cost is a smaller element of a wider project. Please contact us to discuss.

Do we need planning permission in place?

Yes, for major capital projects you must have planning permission in place before you apply. For smaller projects you may apply if you expect to receive planning permission within 2 months of the submission deadline. In all cases please tell us what stage you are with your planning application, and let us know the outcome as soon as you hear from the planning authority.

Can we apply for a car park or other access works at our nature reserve?

Infrastructure work such as car parks, fencing, hard surfacing etc will not generally be supported as the major element of a project. A contribution towards these kind of costs may be supported at nature conservation sites, where it can be demonstrated that such works are essential to secure public engagement with the natural water environment. Sites which are not nature conservation sites may not apply for this kind of infrastructure work. Please contact us to discuss if you have a specific project in development.

Can we apply for water facilities which do not deliver improvements for the natural environment?

Repairs to existing water infrastructure or installation of new water facilities, where this is not related to improving the natural environment, are not a priority for this fund. This includes facilities such as new toilets or wastewater management systems, mains water connection, culverts and other forms of conventional drainage, irrigation systems for sports facilities and boreholes. If the site is a nature conservation site, such as a nature reserve, and you want to improve visitor facilities to improve public engagement with the natural environment, it may be possible to include some costs towards these kinds of facilities. Please contact us for further advice.

Do we need to find partnership or match funding?

It is expected that large capital projects will need funding from other sources in addition to the Thriving Communities funding requested. At the moment there is no fixed proportion of other funding required but we would expect you to have explored other sources. Anglian Water is happy to one of a number of funding partners and does not need to be the sole funder. You may include in-kind contributions where appropriate (eg existing staff or volunteer time). Each project will be considered on its own merits.

Can we request funding for core costs/overheads?

You can request funding for overheads/core costs, but they must be related to the running of the project and you should be prepared to explain how you have calculated the figures, including any methodology used for full cost recovery.

Does it have to be a new project?

It does not need to be new project work: you may apply as an existing project requesting continuation funding. You are also eligible to apply if you have a live or pending project with Anglian Water.

Can statutory organisations apply?

Parish and Town Councils are eligible to apply. Bodies such as higher tier local authorities or non departmental public bodies which own or manage land may be eligible depending on the project: please contact us before submitting an application so that we can advise you. The fund is primarily designed to support projects coming from the community, rather than multi-agency strategic projects.

Can partnership projects apply?

Projects can apply as a partnership, but the lead partner which submits the application must meet our not-for-profit requirements, and the project must not deliver private gain or financial benefit for the other partners. If the project is successful, the lead partner will be responsible for delivery (including all grant spend and employment of project staff), reporting and compliance with the terms and conditions of grant.  Projects must not use the grant for onward grant making or transfer any part of the grant in cash to other partners.

Can we apply for projects covering more than one site?

You may apply for projects which deliver improvements to the water environment at multiple sites. If these sites are all owned by different organisations, as above the lead partner must meet our not-for-profit requirements, and would be responsible for delivery, reporting and compliance with the terms and conditions of any grant.

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