DULVERTON’s drive towards localism has taken a step forward thanks to a £10,000 grant.

The money will be used to fund a feasibility study and the development of a business case for a Community Woodland Project.

The town recently joined over 140 other communities in putting forward a bid for funding under the Department for Communities and Local Government Our Place Programme.

The programme attempts to transform public services by making sure they are focused on the user and not the organisation.

Dulverton has now been approved to continue on to the second stage of the project, “Getting Going”. Dulverton’s Town Council submitted the Woodland Management plan with the help of Exmoor National Park aiming to provide training and employment for young people in the community.

The partnership of the ENP together with the support of The Exmoor Society and local business was a key factor in the success of the proposal.

The grant will be used to develop an operational plan for a self supporting and sustainable community owned enterprise focusing on local needs, run by local people and driven by local market demand.

Dulverton Mayor, Nick Thwaites said: “The Our Place programme is not a miraculous panacea for all local problems as it has been portrayed recently.

“Localism can come at a price; our aim is to get support and services locally managed in a self sustaining cost effective manner.

“This project is just one of many small local community initiatives which demonstrate that “Localism” can be effective in action, helping to make Dulverton a better place to live.