DALES communities affected by quarrying can apply for grants of up to £30,000 from the North Yorkshire Aggregates Grants Scheme.

The scheme is administered by the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust and offers communities, organisations, private landlords and local councils the opportunity to implement projects that compensate local communities for the impacts of aggregates extraction.

Eligible projects include the restoration of land to beneficial use, for historic interest or to provide, improve, repair or maintain a public amenity.

Also eligible are projects that restore land for biodiversity and the conservation of biodiversity following damage caused by aggregates extraction.

Projects must be located in areas that suffer from the impact of aggregate extraction, have clear public benefits, involve or have the support of the voluntary or community sector and be additional to the responsibilities of quarry operators.

Grants can cover up to 75 per cent of the cost of the approved works, although applications for projects up to £5,000 may be fully funded.

Funding for the scheme is provided by the Government through the North Yorkshire Strategic Partnership, which is led by the county council.

Bob Sydes, North Yorkshire County Council's heritage and environment manager, said: "I've been impressed by the range and quality of projects that have received funding over the past two years.

"I am delighted that we are able to offer the new grant scheme to support worthwhile projects that will make a real difference to local communities and areas af-fected by quarrying."

With income generated through the Aggregates Levy, the North Yorkshire Strategic Partnership has provided £287,000 for projects in 2007/08.

Expressions of interest must be received by the YDMT by June 1. Projects will then be assessed and successful ones will be invited to complete a full application for submission by June 29.

Projects must be completed by March 31 2008.

Application packs are available by contacting the trust on 015242 51002.