BRADFORD communities have been asked which unloved areas of the district should be converted into “pocket parks.”

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has opened a funding bid to transform neglected or derelict areas across the country into new green spaces.

Grants of up to £15,000 are available for new pocket parks and up to £25,000 for renovation of existing parks or parts of a park.

Match funding is required for the schemes, which can be in cash or in-kind support such as volunteer time or donated materials.

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The definition of a Pocket Park is: “a piece of land of up to 0.4 hectares, although many are the size of a tennis court, which may already be under grass but which is unused, undeveloped or derelict.”

All applications will need to provide evidence of agreement from the landowner to the works or activities, and must also be supported in writing by the relevant local authority, which must be willing to work in partnership with the applicant, hold the grant and pass it on to the community applicant.

The deadline for nominating sites is December 31. For more information visit bfunded.org.uk/news/pocket-parks-grants-deadline-31-december-2019-5pm-/