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What is the village enhancement scheme?

The North York Moors National Park Authority is proposing a new Village Enhancement Scheme to replace the previous Village Caretakers Scheme. The new, improved approach is intended to reduce pressure on core funding by making better use of available Section 106 contributions. This funding stream must be used for improvements rather than maintenance. The scheme will be closely aligned with the Park Authority’s objectives and team priorities, with clear and measurable outcomes. It will also introduce a more democratic and accessible approach, making the scheme simpler and more widely available to all eligible parishes and villages, rather than benefiting only the small number that currently take advantage of it.

How to apply

To support a fair and transparent process, all eligible parishes will be contacted and reminded of the two-month application window. Applications will be submitted through a simple web portal, where parishes can identify the activities they wish to apply for and link each proposal to a relevant Park Authority objective using a drop-down menu. Applicants will also be asked to provide a short summary explaining what is proposed, why it is needed, and how it will benefit not only their local community but also the wider National Park and its public objectives. Where an application is unsuccessful, it will be reviewed with relevant teams to determine whether there are any discrete funding pots that may still be able to support the proposal.