PROJECTS in Taunton, Bridgwater, Burnham and Street are among more than a dozen handed grants to make community buildings in Somerset more eco-friendly.

A total of 15 buildings across Somerset will benefit from grants totalling almost £200,000 to fund energy efficiency upgrades.

The grants, handed out by the Somerset Community Foundation (SCF) with support from Thrive, will help reduce running costs, lower carbon emissions and ensure the spaces remain sustainable into the future.

They will go towards a range of energy-saving improvements, such as solar panels, insulation, double glazing, and air source heat pumps.

“We’d love to run the funding programme for a second time as we received many more applications than we could support,” said Clare Stephen, programmes manager at SCF. “Seeing the work undertaken by the trustees of community buildings across the county has been humbling.

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“They are working tirelessly to ensure the sustainability of these buildings so that many local people and groups can continue to use them.

“These buildings are often at the heart of local communities, and we want to help protect them as essential assets in Somerset.”

The programme comes as rising energy costs continue to put community groups under pressure. Many of the buildings are ageing and draughty, making them expensive to heat and threatening their long-term viability.

“This funding is a game-changer,” said Pauline Drew, a trustee at Croscombe Village Hall. “We want to ensure the hall remains a warm and welcoming space for everyone but the last few years have seen us struggling with aging windows and doors, coupled with a staggering rise in energy bills.

“Being able to install energy efficient glazing will mean we can keep the hall at the heart of the community, reduce our bills and do our bit for the planet. It’s a huge relief for us all.”

Many of the groups involved were also supported by Thrive to carry out energy efficiency audits, helping them assess the current condition of their buildings and identify the upgrades that would deliver the greatest impact and future savings.

Annual savings of at least £500 per year are expected for participating buildings, while some groups could reduce annual carbon emissions by up to seven tonnes.

The full list of grants awarded to community buildings in Somerset is:

· Albemarle Centre, Taunton – £19,252 for carbon reduction improvements.
· Ashwick & Oakhill Village Hall – £15,000 for solar panels.
· Bridgwater Town Council – £20,000 for 50 photovoltaic panels at ReCreation Community Centre.
· Burnham & Highbridge Community Centre – £20,000 for insulation and solar panels.
· Crispin Community Centre, Street – £14,874 for secondary glazing.
· Croscombe Village Hall – £12,000 for energy-efficient windows and doors.
· Curry Mallet & Beercrocombe Hall – £7,398 for ceiling insulation.
· Goathurst Village Hall – £4,986 for efficiency upgrades.
· Halse Village Hall – £10,000 for building improvements.
· Ilminster Bowling & Tennis Club – £2,500 for LED lighting.
· Litton Village Hall – £20,000 for energy-saving upgrades.
· Nynehead Memorial Hall – £5,990 for heating and insulation.
· Rimpton Village Hall – £20,000 for double glazing.
· The Charltons Community Centre, Somerton – £10,000 for energy-efficient heating.
· Wedmore Village Hall – £10,000 for an air source heat pump.