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North Somerset Council has granted the money for these projects as part of its Great Lakes project, which also includes Weston’s Marine Lake and the Lake Grounds in Portishead.
These three sites are very different in their geography, population and usage so a different approach has been taken for each to make the most of the money available and ensure it is spent on local priorities.
At Clevedon, the council recognises the valuable role played by the many well-established community groups associated with the Marine Lake, seafront and Salthouse Fields.
Many of these groups take an active role in managing and maintaining the various sites and providing valued facilities for local people and visitors.
The council invited these groups to seek grant funding for projects that they had identified as priorities for the area.
North Somerset Council is providing grants totalling £149,000, with the organisations themselves contributing an additional £64,000 towards their projects.
The projects benefitting are:
- MARLENS has received £60,000 for two separate projects – installing an Eco Pod next to the lake which will provide a disabled changing room and toilets, classroom facilities and other community facilities; and a new boat storage facility at the existing building next to the crazy golf
- Clevedon Skate Project has received £35,000 to provide a shipping container on Salthouse Fields which will be used for storage and a base for outreach projects
- Clevedon Pilot Gig Club has received £20,000 to construct a storage building which will house their two wooden heritage gigs and associated equipment, and to give the club a long-term base and identity in Clevedon
- Friends of Clevedon Slipway Group - £20,000 has been identified to help deliver civil construction works to restore and protect Clevedon slipway
- Clevedon Pier and Heritage Trust has received £14,000 to create an all-weather community space at the seaward end of the Grade I-listed Clevedon Pier.
Cllr Mike Solomon, executive member for neighbourhoods and community services, said: “I am delighted to be able to support these five excellent projects with nearly £150,000 of grants.
“They are providing a variety of improvements to Clevedon seafront, such as improving visitor attractions on the pier, supporting young people on Salthouse Fields with a hub for outreach work, and improving facilities for disabled swimmers at Marine Lake. The gig club and Clevedon slipway projects also reflect the seaside nature of the area.”
Local ward member Cllr Geoffrey Richardson said: “It has been great working with the local groups to develop the grant scheme and see them all supporting each other for the mutual benefit of Clevedon’s residents and our many visitors.
“It was also humbling to discover that they have also successfully raised considerable sums to help finance their projects.”
Before proceeding, each project will have to demonstrate that it has the relevant permissions (such as planning).
This year North Somerset Council is investing a total of £700,000 to help improve the area’s three great coastal lakes.
In Weston-super-Mare, the focus is on desilting and repairing the sluices at Marine Lake so that it can be brought back into use as a swimming site for residents and tourists alike.
The long-term maintenance challenge of the lake will also be solved so that it can remain in use.
In Portishead, North Somerset Council and Portishead Town Council are working together to turn the Lake Grounds into a regionally renowned park which is attractive, fun, safe and biodiverse.
A consultation is currently under way for residents to have their say about the Lake Grounds and where they think the councils need to prioritise funding.
Visit www.n-somerset.gov.uk/plg2021 before midday on Monday 2 August to have your say.