Community Fund
DBS can deliver lasting benefits for the local area and the wider region.
Alongside economic investment and new jobs, we’re investing directly in communities through a community benefits package — including a community fund and targeted skills, education and employment programmes.
Community project benefiting from a community fund in South Wales
Community fund
We're creating a community benefit package that includes a community fund, developed in line with new government guidance to support local priorities. The proposed onshore converter stations are in scope, which could mean a fund of up to £1,060,000* (based on two converter stations).
We ran the first consultation to help shape the fund between 27 January and 27 March 2026. Residents local to the proposed converter stations were invited to participate in a survey and attend in-person events in Little Weighton and Walkington. Learn more about the events in our blog and read the first consultation report.
Using the responses and feedback from the first consultation we developed proposals around how the potential fund will be administered and what projects it will support. We consulted on these proposals between 19 August 2026 and 30 September 2026 and are now processing the feedback we received.
Proposed next steps:
- We will appoint an independent, local charity to administer the fund.
- The administrator will recruit a community decision making panel and work with them to:
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- Finalise the fund criteria and governance
- Produce a delivery plan and timeline
- Open the fund for applications*
- Publish annual reports and share outcome
When the fund is established and construction of the converter stations has begun, we will share more about the fund administration, application eligibility and how to apply.
*Subject to the projects proceeding to construction
Summary of the feedback
First community fund consultation feedback
The proposed fund is part of the wider DBS community benefit package. Its purpose is to create positive local benefits, shaped by the people and communities hosting the onshore converter stations. The wider package is also expected to support skills, employment and supply chain opportunities.
Summary of the first consultation feedback
Thank you to the 551 people who responded
Residents shared clear and consistent messages about what matters most to them in their communities:
- What people value: the landscape, the East Riding way of life, and strong, supportive communities.
- Top priorities for the fund: environment and nature; activities for young people; sport and leisure; community buildings; and community transport.
- How the fund should be run: by a local, experienced grant making charity, supported by a community panel to ensure openness, transparency and independence.
- Who should benefit: communities closest to the project should be prioritised, while still covering a fair area so the fund can support meaningful projects.
What this could mean in practice
Final criteria for the fund will be set by an independent administrator and a panel of community decision-makers, but feedback points toward support for projects such as:
- Environment and nature: habitat restoration, tree planting, biodiversity improvements, community gardens.
- Youth activities: clubs and programmes, skills and training, safe spaces and equipment for young people.
- Sport and leisure: local teams, accessible facilities, inclusive health and wellbeing activities.
- Community buildings: upgrades, energy efficiency improvements, accessibility works, equipment.
- Community transport: schemes that improve access to services, events and opportunities, especially for residents with limited transport options.
Next steps
- We will appoint an independent, local charity to administer the fund.
- The administrator will recruit a community decision making panel and work with them to:
-
- Finalise the fund criteria and governance
- Produce a delivery plan and timeline
- Open the fund for applications*
- Publish annual reports and share outcomes
We will keep this page updated as these steps progress.
More details
- Read the first consultation report.
Thank you to everyone who has taken part in our consultations — your input is shaping a fair, transparent, community led fund.
Case studies
To find out how community funds have benefited other communities local to wind farm projects, please visit the following case studies: