Somerset Rural Renaissance | Workspace Programme

Rural Regeneration - Supporting the Economy of Somerset

workspace programme leaflet The Somerset Workspace Grants Programme was established to help bring redundant buildings into productive use. The Rural Renaissance Partnership was responsible for allocating RR funds specifically for new workspace developments through the conversion of redundant buildings.
This Programme ends on March 31st 2009.
The 2008/9 workspace programme funds are now committed with an additional 5 projects across rural Somerset

Read more details in the Workspace Guide

Applications were considered at regular panel meetings
The Partnership approved investments for the following types of activity:
Redundant Building schemes where a cost value gap can be evidenced, for employment uses. No more than 25% of grant aid was available, with a maximum of 200,000 euros per proposal.
Feasibility Studies and Professional expertise was made available to progress suitable projects. No more than 50% grant aid was available, and no more than £10k per proposal

The following Workspace Strategic Principles guided allocation of the funds:

Re-using previously developed land and buildings

Supporting rural regeneration, diversification and growth

Developing sustainable communities where the approach is to reduce the need to travel

Promoting quality, linked to achievement of sustainable construction principles

Supporting the priority sectors of food and drink, tourism, aerospace & advanced engineering, environmental technologies and creative industries together with access to ICT infrastructure within workspace schemes.

Key Areas For Development Of Workspace
Applications were invited from anywhere within the County except the towns of Taunton, Bridgwater or Yeovil. There are some areas within the five districts that do not benefit from major road communications and these were identified as priority areas for support

Read more details in the Workspace Guide, Somerset Workspace Guidance, and the SWRDA guidance for the conversion of redundant rural buildings (Appendix 13) .

The 2008/9 workspace programme funds are now committed and this programme is closed to new applications

RR Workspace Programme
The list below shows just some of the businesses that the Workspace Programme has helped and benefited.

Rural Renaissance Workspace Programme
Funded Projects

Read the latest news from the Workspace Programme.

There are also two other programmes which feature as part of the Rural Renaissance programme scheme. These are:

Workspace Barn Project Access to Services Programme, and

Rural Renaissance Main Programme.

Have a question about the Workspace programme?
If you would like to know more about the Somerset Workspace programme then why not send us an email or use our contact form found on our contact page.

Business Link is engaged in the Somerset workspace programme and can provide valuable free advice on growing your business, not only
supporting your application but providing real value to your on-going business plans.