KELBURN Windfarm community fund has opened for applications from Largs, Fairlie and Cumbrae.

More than £400,000 has been awarded since 2012 to groups and organisations to support local environmental, educational, amenity proposals for appropriate registered, not for profit applicants.

Grants from £500 to £8000 have been given to scores of good causes, many qualifying under the category of social sustainability. The 2021 Kelburn Wind Farm Fund application window is open until May 14.

Last year, notable recipients included the Douglas Park Project, which received £4,000 for the continuing environmental improvements at the town public park, £4,000 for the Brisbane Observatory Trust project to preserve the historic Sir Thomas Brisbane site, Fairlie Community Sports Club with £5,000 for village sports facilities, and Cumbrae Community Development Company receiving £5,000 for the ongoing island toilets improvements while bowlers, football clubs, theatre groups and youth organisations were among 24 applications that benefitted.

In a coronavirus hit year the local voluntary committee also awarded various grants to groups affected by the ongoing lockdown restrictions.

Kelburn Wind Farm Community Fund Chairman Alistair Green said: “In a difficult and challenging year we had an impressive, interesting and varied range of applications from across the communities of Largs, Fairlie and Cumbrae which we unanimously agreed to support."

Renewable Energy Systems (RES), who operate the wind turbines on the Kelburn estate, will provide more than £50,000 again to be awarded by their local Trust by the summer.

Applicants should submit entries online at www.kelburnwindfarm.co.uk