Business Incentives

Carbon Trust – Energy Efficiency Loans

The Carbon Trust offers interest free credit towards the installation of energy saving equipment such as ground and air source heat pumps.

The Carbon Trust’s Energy-Efficiency Loans are unsecured and interest free, with no arrangement fees and a straightforward application process. Loans can be repaid over a period of up to four years, and many of borrowers have found that their energy savings more than cover their repayments.

Loans of between £5000 and £200,000 are available.

To qualify for a loan, the projected cost of energy used after completion of the proposed project must show a significant reduction when compared to your existing energy bill. For more information visit www.carbontrust.co.uk. Or Contact Us: e-mail

Energy Efficiency loans can be used in conjunction with the Governments ECA scheme (see below)

The Enchanced Capital Allowance Scheme (ECA)

This is a government scheme to manage climate change. It provides tax relief for businesses investing in renewable energy products such as Ground and Air source heat pumps.

100 per cent first-year Enhanced Capital Allowances (ECA) allow the full cost of an investment in designated energy-saving plant and machinery to be written off against the taxable profits of the period in which the investment is made. The general rate of capital allowances for spending on plant and machinery is 20% a year on the reducing balance basis. For more information visit www.eca.gov.uk. Or Contact Us: e-mail

Energy Saving Scotland

The Energy Saving Scotland Small Business Loans Scheme, which is supported by the Scottish Government, provides interest free loans of £1000 to £100,000 to help companies introduce measures to reduce energy consumption or install renewable energy technologies such as ground and air source heat pumps. For more information visit www.energysavingtrust.co.uk. Or Contact Us: e-mail

The Rural Development Programme for England

The objectives of the RDPE include; * Improving the Competitiveness of the Farming & Forestry Sector encourages modernisation and diversification of farm and forestry businesses including adding value to primary produce. It highlights the importance of sustainable growth by promoting efficiency of resource use, such as energy, water and nutrients. It fosters the development of new markets for products such as woodfuel and biomass.

Rural Quality of Life & Diversification of the Rural Economy encourages entrepreneurial and socio-economic activity, develops micro-business, and supports rural service provision. It promotes leadership development, knowledge transfer and innovation, including climate change and energy innovation. It promotes improved skill access and employment within the farming, food and forestry. It also promotes rural tourism and access.

Delivered through:

Sub-Regional Partnerships

The Northwest has five rural Sub-Regional Partnerships:

Cheshire and Warrington Rural Partnership, Commission for the New Economy (Manchester), Cumbria Partners, Integrated Countryside & Environment Plan (Merseyside), Lancashire Economic Partnership

LEADER groups

For further information see the NWDA website, and see details of the LEADER programmes below for Cumbrian businesses, or Contact Us: e-mail

Cumbria Fells and Dales LEADER Programme

Financial assistance is available for farmers, foresters, rural businesses, social enterprises and community organisations based in rural areas of Cumbria.

There are two types of grant on offer:

Small grants worth up to £20,000 for small rural business and farm diversification projects.
A main grants programme for all other projects requiring more than £20,000.

Business-related projects will generally be funded to a maximum of 40%, with community-based projects eligible for higher intervention rates.

The Cumbria Fells and Dales LEADER Programme is provided by the Northwest Development Agency with funding from the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) and is delivered on their behalf by a local action group headed up by Cumbria County Council.

Funding is available to improve the competitiveness, environmental performance and sustainability of the rural economy, in particular projects that fall under one of the following themes:

For more information e-mail info@fellsanddales.org.uk. Or Contact Us:e-mail

Solway, Border and Eden LEADER Programme

Financial assistance is available for farmers, foresters, rural businesses, social enterprises and community organisations based in rural areas of Cumbria.

There are two types of grant on offer:

Small grants worth up to £20,000 for small rural business and farm diversification projects.
A main grants programme for all other projects requiring more than £20,000.

Business-related projects will generally be funded to a maximum of 40%, with community-based projects eligible for higher intervention rates.

Funding is available to improve the competitiveness, environmental performance and sustainability of the rural economy, in particular projects that fall under one of the following themes:

For more information e-mail info@sbeleader.org.uk. Or Contact Us: e-mail