The LSEP Community Fund is now closed and we are no longer taking applications. The Community Fund Panel will be meeting in July to decide on the outcome of all applications submitted for the grant. If you have submitted an application, you will be contacted by the team in due course.
The LSEP Community Fund provides grants of up to £10,000 to support community projects in the local area around the plant. A total pot of £50,000 will be available up until the plant becomes operational in early 2027.
Types of grant
- Small grant: up to £2,500
- Large grant: Up to £10,000
What for?
Projects that benefit:
- the local environment
- Cheshire West and Chester Council’s sustainability goals
- net zero and climate emergency goals
- community health, wellbeing and social value
Who can apply?
Not-for-profit organisations, voluntary groups, and registered charities.
Where?
Across the parishes of Northwich, Lostock Gralam, Lach Dennis & Lostock Green and Rudheath.
Closing date
The initial closing date was 30th June 2026. However, this has now been extended to 6th July.
The application must come from a company which is either a properly constituted not-for-profit organisation, voluntary group or registered charity with a bank account requiring at least two signatories.
The fund will have a primary focus on supporting projects which:
- Have a demonstrably positive impact on the local environment
- Contribute positively to meeting the sustainability goals of Cheshire West & Chester Council
- Contributing to net zero and climate emergency goals
- Demonstrably improve community health, wellbeing and social value within the defined area (for example, create or improve a community amenity, or address an issue like fly-tipping).
The fund will be allocated in a number of rounds in advance of LSEP becoming operational in early 2027. Indicative timelines are below, however these are subject to change at the discretion of LSEP and the panel.
Round one
- Applications close – 6th July 2026
- Grants awarded – by [TBC]
Round two
Should all the money be awarded under round one there will be no further funding rounds. If funds are still available a second round of funding will be undertaken, expected to be before the end of 2026.
An approved project must start within six months of approval and be completed within 12 months of approval. Costs must be directly related to the project and not include ongoing organisational costs e.g. staffing/salary costs; transport costs.
The fund will be open to projects which are delivered across the parishes of Northwich, Lostock Gralam, Lach Dennis & Lostock Green and Rudheath.
Once you have read all the information on this page, including the Grant Guidelines document, you can apply by filling out one of our application forms which you can find towards the bottom of this page.
When you submit your application please make sure that you send it to our email address: communityfund@lostocksep.co.uk, along with any supporting documentation to accompany your application.
Applications will be determined by a Community Fund Panel made up of local elected representatives. A representative from LSEP will chair the panel but will not have voting powers unless a vote is tied and then they have the casting vote. The decision of the panel will be final, and no negotiations or appeals will be entered into with an applicant.
The panel will be responsible for managing administration of the fund and reporting with support from LSEP.