LANDOWNERS and community groups are invited to apply for a slice of £1.7 million, which County Hall has received to protect the environment surrounding the Wytch Farm oilfield.

The money was part of a deal, as required by national planning polices, agreed between Dorset County Council (DCC) and energy giant Perenco to extend the life of the oilfield - the largest onshore oilfield in Western Europe - for another 20 years.

Now the county council has set up a grant fund for projects that will ‘moderate the impacts of the oilfield on the local landscape, wildlife and rights of way’.

DCC cabinet member for natural built environment, Cllr Daryl Turner, said: “This is great news for the environment and the local community as all will be able to benefit from the continued existence of the oilfield through local enhancement projects.”

The council says projects must meet at least one of the following criteria:

BLOB Strengthen the character of the surrounding landscape by the creation, conservation, enhancement and management of heathland and acid grassland.

BLOB Enhance biodiversity by the conservation, enhancement and management of boundary features (such as hedgerows, veteran trees and earth-banks), woodlands (such as rhododendron control) and rural lanes.

BLOB Improve rights of way and/or facilities to provide car-free access and conserve tranquillity.

Perenco UK took over operation of the oilfield in December 2011. It is currently producing 16,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day and employs 100 staff and 250 contractors.

The fund is targeted at the parts of the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) closest to the oilfield, mainly between the shores of Poole Harbour and the Purbeck ridge to east of East Lulworth.

The deadline to make an application is June 27.

Applications will be assessed by a panel of experts, on July 18, including a representative from Perenco.

Visit the Dorset AONB website for further details.