Annual community fund in Bucks increases to £16,000

Gib Lane Solar Farm has been donating to projects in four parishes since 2015.

The farm in the south-east of Aylesbury usually offers groups from Bierton, Hulcott, Aston Clinton the chance to apply for a share of £10,000. 

The site - owned by Aston Clinton Solar Farm Limited - made the commitment to offer the amount annually until 2040 in 2015, with this year's growth a result of the fund's link to inflation. The fund is divided among the parishes according to how much of the development was located within each one when the solar farm was built, with 38% going to Bierton, 14% to Hulcott, 29% to Aston Clinton and 19% to Buckland.

Groups based in one of the four Parishes can apply for grants of £250 up to the maximum amount available for their Parish that year. Last year's grant was divided among the following projects: 

Aston Clinton Bowls Club, Specialist Coaching Bowls – £1,500
Aston Clinton School, Team Sport Kit – £500
Bierton Parish Council, New flooring for Bierton Sports Centre – £4,087
Buckland Parish Council, Bug Houses & Hosepipes, Community Orchard & Bench, Burial Ground – £1,185
Estone Grange Management Company Ltd (Wild Estone Grange), Three Bench Seats and a Picnic Table – £1,200
Hulcott Parish Council, Additional Chairs and One Gazebo for Hulcott Annual Community Event – £853
The Anthony Hall, New Flooring in Main Hall – £4,459
The Parochial Church Council of the Parish of Buckland, Rebuild of a Churchyard Wall at All Saints, Buckland – £2,900

Applications must be submitted by October 7th 2026, with those eligible then being presented to each project's Parish Council for its views on the possible benefits and suitability. Each Parish Council will then recommend the most worthy applications to GrantScape, who design and manage community benefit funds on behalf of renewable energy developers, local authorities and landfill operators. 

You can find out more about the Gib Lane Solar Farm community grant on GrantScape's website here (external link).