An ambitious plan to rebuild an Old Basing scout hut has received a hefty chunk of Government cash to investigate installing cutting-edge green technology.

On Tuesday, Energy and Climate Change Secretary Edward Davey announced 155 schemes across the country receiving a share of £5.1m of grants. The Old Basing Baden Powell Centre for Scouts and Guides Renewable Energy Scheme was awarded £29,886.

The grants come from the Government’s Department of Energy and Climate Change Local...

A multi-million pound Government cash pot has been opened up to charities tackling river pollution.

Environment minister Richard Benyon MP announced the £28m fund in a bid to get communities to take pride in their local waterways. The move follows last years environment white paper, which outlined a plan to boost river wildlife.

The cash is open to community groups and charities to apply for and would be used for tackling pollution, restoring wildlife and river fish populations.

The move...

Grassroots campaigners hoping to get more than 100 solar panels on residents' roofs have insisted the future is still bright for people looking to install the system.

Non-profit group Hartley Wintney Solar Action Group are urging people to consider installing photovoltaic solar panels before the Government slashes cash subsidies.

Since launching in April 2011, the group had installed 57 systems by December 12 on houses in Hartley Wintney and neighbouring villages.

The organisation said it...

Gardeners in Hampshire are being encouraged to grow their own wildflower meadow this autumn by the RSPB.

The charity is responding to the news that Kew Gardens has launched the UK Native Seed Hub, which aims to provide seeds and advice on growing wildflower meadows to conservation groups and other organisations.  Long-established meadows can have up to 30 species of flower in one square metre, and were once some of the richest habitats for beetles, butterflies and bees. But the UK has...