Landfill Communities Fund: Reduction of Pollution

Overview

Landfill Operators can choose to pay a portion of their landfill tax, up to 5.3%, to Environmental Bodies (EBs) approved by Entrust, the LCF regulator. These EBs then use the funds to support projects that benefit local communities and the environment within a set criteria laid out in the Landfill Tax Regulations (1996). The full criteria is set out in the Guidance Manual.

The LCF mostly benefits communities living near landfill sites by funding projects that improve the local environment and quality of life. 

Object B: The Prevention of Potential for Pollution or the Remediation of the Effects of Pollution.

In relation to any land the condition of which, by reason of the carrying on of an activity on the land which has ceased, is such that pollution (whether of that land or not) is being or may be caused -

(i) any operation intended to prevent or reduce any potential for pollution; or

(ii) any operation intended to remedy or mitigate the effects of any pollution that has been caused.

Overarching principles:

• Your project application will need to demonstrate how your project prevents or reduces the potential for pollution, or remedies or mitigates the effects of any pollution that has been caused.
• The person who polluted the land must not benefit from the works proposed.
• The works proposed must not be required under a statutory notice, order or agreement, or under the terms of a planning permission or consent.

You will be asked to provide details of:

• the affected site;
• the ceased activity;
• who carried it out;
• when it stopped;
• how the person who polluted the land will not benefit (financially or through obligations being met) from the work proposed; and
• how the proposed works will bring the land back into use.

There are two methods of receiving funding through the Landfill Communities Fund (LCF);

• from an Environmental Body (EB) that distributes the monies on a Landfill Operator's behalf (a distributive Environmental Body); or
• directly from a Landfill Operator (LO) based in England or Northern Ireland.

The majority of projects receive funding via a distributive EB and they would recommend applying to these organisations before seeking funding directly from a Landfill Operator.

You can find a list of EBs who may fund in your area using their funders search.

Entrust are the Government appointed regulator of the LCF and do not provide funding.