Category: Grant Applications

Community Gardens Update

The Community Group has completed the initial stages of setting up a Community Garden. Carroll Crumpen (who lives on the Bellway part of the development) is leading the project and a location was identified in the summer of 2020 which has become home to the project.

This Community Garden is for the use of the whole Channels community and we have been awarded £400 from the Community Initiative Fund which can be used to purchase plants, wild flower seeds and tools. It is a community garden, so it should be for the community to decide how it is developed.

Take a look at the full update and please do get involved by submitting your ideas or by volunteering to assist taking the project forward.

Happy New Year! 🙂

Community Benches (Fountain Lake)


There are two new benches situated in a secluded position over-looking the fountain lake on the Eagle Rise/Aqua Verde part of the development for everyone to use and enjoy.

In late Spring we became aware of some available grant funding (Essex County Council Locality Fund) and following a discussion with County Councillor John Aldridge, he very kindly recommended that an award should be made for the provision of two benches.

A formal application was made at the end of July and within a week the CRCG had funds with which to order two benches for use by the community. When we asked for feedback about ideas for use of grant funding, a number of responses asked for benches over-looking the lake hence the proposal put to Councillor John Aldridge.

The CRCG would also like to thank directors of the Eagle Rise/Aqua Verde Residents Management Company (CCMC Ltd) for allowing the benches to be sited on their land.

The benches are durable, weather resistant, vandal proof and low maintenance. They are environmentally friendly being made from recycled materials and have a rustic look.

Enjoy 🙂

Andrew Wright
Channels Residents Community Group

Have Your Say!

As previously flagged, the Community Group is applying for a Grant from the Community Initiative Fund to enhance our communal spaces.

It’s really important to gather comments and ideas from the community so if you want to know more or want to add to those already suggested by residents, take a look at the latest update here.

Ideally we would have circulated some form of leaflet/questionnaire however the timescale for completion of the application will not allow for this. So, have a chat to your neighbours about it, discuss the list of ideas currently on the short list and get involved by giving us your thoughts!

A suggestions form can be found here!

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