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Not sure where to start?

If you want to decarbonise your organisation but don't know where to start, you can access free support through the Council’s Carbon Action Programme or the Prosper business support programme. 

Help with your application

Please contact the team if you have any questions regarding your eligibility, or the eligibility of your project. You can also contact us if you are having technical issues with the application form. Our email is caf@eastdevon.gov.uk. 

The CAF Checklist outlines all the documents and main points of information you will need to complete an application.

How to get a carbon survey and reduction plan

Applications to the CAF can only be submitted where the applicant can provide and submit a carbon survey and carbon reduction plan of the required scope and standard.

Applicants may be able to access a free carbon survey and reduction plan through the Council’s Carbon Action Programme or the Prosper business support programme. 

Where applicants wish to apply using a privately funded survey and reduction plan, it must:

  • Include greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as Scope 1, 2 or 3 as referred to in the Greenhouse Gas Protocol
  • Be in line with the associated PPN 06/21 Guidance
  • Have been issued after 1 August 2023

How to get two quotes for equipment 

Applicants will be required to provide at least two quotes for each item/service they want to purchase using CAF funding. 

Applicants will be scored more favourably if they are able to use suppliers from East Devon.

To help applicants, we have published a Local Supplier List which applicants are welcome to use. If you are a local supplier and want to be added to this list, please contact the team. 

Do I need planning permission?

Some projects may require planning permission. Applicants must have all permissions in place prior to applying for the CAF.

If you are unsure if you need planning permission, we recommend first reviewing our Planning Guidance sheet. This covers solar PV and heat pumps. For other type of projects you can use the Planning Portal common projects webpages. 

If you are still in doubt about whether you need planning permission, you can request advice from an East Devon District Council planning officer using the planning enquiry form. Please be aware that this service incurs a cost of £40 (including VAT) with responses usually provided in under 5 working days. 

How to engage your landlord

Leaseholders are eligible to apply for the Carbon Action Fund where their lease does not expire for at least another 2 years.

Where the applicant is a leaseholder, they must have written permission from the owner of the leased premises if they want to modify the building or install equipment onto the building. 

Before seeking permission, we recommend checking your lease to see if there are any clauses related to modifications or installations to the property. You should think about what would happen to the equipment if your lease expires and you need to vacate the building. 

Other practical considerations should also be given. For example, the installation of solar PV may impact the value of the property, or affect the property's insurance.

We expect recipients of CAF grant funding (including leaseholders) to be fully responsible for the security and maintenance of the CAF funded equipment.