Westpark Levy Trust

Westpark Levy Trust is a UK-registered charity established in December 2019 to sustain and enhance West Park, Darlington's first new park in a century, for the benefit of local inhabitants, particularly those facing youth, age, infirmity, disablement, financial hardship, or social challenges. Funded uniquely by a legally binding levy on residents and businesses within the development, it goes beyond council maintenance to deliver recreation, leisure, and well-being facilities, guided by values of stewardship, transparency, inclusivity, community engagement, and environmental excellence—validated through Green Flag Award assessments and ongoing resident feedback.

The Trust prioritises place-based projects improving West Park's natural spaces, including biodiversity initiatives like wildflower planting and nature trails, children's play areas and bike tracks, community arts such as the Jubilee Trail, educational events with local schools, and participatory activities for all ages, with targeted support for children, older people, disabled individuals, and those in hardship to foster social welfare and quality of life.

Eligible applicants are limited to UK-registered charities, community groups, and academic institutions delivering direct impact within West Park and immediate surroundings; grassroots, volunteer-led entities are favoured, with no income thresholds. Funding is invite-only, identified via community dialogue, open meetings, and trustee discussions—no unsolicited applications accepted. Quarterly trustee meetings (volunteer-led, no paid staff) decide grants, typically £250–£10,000 (often £500–£5,000) for capital improvements, events, arts, or environmental projects, with decisions in 4–8 weeks.

Exclusions include core costs, capacity building, emergency relief, or anything outside West Park; its distinctiveness lies in levy-driven independence, hyper-local focus, and participatory governance ensuring responsive, high-impact community stewardship.