Dales National Park Authority's Sustainable Development Fund

As a part of its community support initiative, the authority has been operating a Sustainable Development Fund (SDF) with an annual budget of £150,000.

The tweak to the scheme sets aside one-fifth of the £150,000 for applications from individuals under 30 years old, or from those whose project focuses on the younger demographic.

An example of the sort of application that will be supported is that brought in 2022 by the trustees of Settle's former army drill hall, which is now owned by the Scouts.

Their grant support will fund a small extension to the grade two listed building to provide covered lift access to the hall, with contractors currently laying the foundations for the extension.

The existing access to the hall is via an external stone staircase, which has posed difficulties for some children and adult youth leaders.

An external staircase is the only way into the drill hall at present (Image: Supplied)

Derek Twine, chair of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, said: "The Sustainable Development Fund has a history of supporting projects that benefit younger people, but this tweak to the fund will allow us to make a concerted push for more of these projects to come forward.

"The drill hall in Settle, right on the edge of the national park, is a good case study to point to because the work there will benefit so many young people.

"About 60 Beavers, Cubs and Scouts, plus an Explorer Section for 14-18 year olds, meet in the hall, and there are weekly archery and dancing classes for people of all ages."

A visualisation of how the extension will look (Image: Supplied)

Cherry Flitcroft, chair of trustees of the drill hall, said: "The SDF grant application process was straightforward.

"We came with a small ask and were told the SDF could support even more of what we were doing.

"The drill hall building is unique but we are not precious about it.

"This is for kids to come and be a bit rough and tumble, and let rip and have great games and get used to being with other children and respecting people."

Drill hall trustee Paul Cochrane added: "It’s a rocky old site at Castleberg, but it’s going to be done and it will be brilliant.

"We will be providing for all sorts of youth groups and other groups."

Further details about the SDF can be found at https://www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/park-authority/living-and-working/sustainable-development-fund/.