GRANTS of up to £5,000 will be handed out by a housebuilder with community groups and charities asked to apply.

The Edenstone Group, currently building properties at St Mary’s Garden Village in the town, sets aside a proportion of the proceeds of every home sold to go to good causes.

Over the past year, the firm’s Edenstone Foundation has handed out more than £40,000.

Applications for funding are now open with causes across South Wales and the South West are invited to apply, including those in areas where the Edenstone Group is building, such as Ross-on-Wye.

Managing director Martin Taylor said: “The Edenstone Group has achieved rapid growth in recent years.

“To give something back and help communities share in our success we established the Edenstone Foundation.

“A proportion of the proceeds of every home we sell is gifted to the foundation to be distributed to community groups, charities and other good causes in the areas where we live and work.

“It’s our way of extending the support we offer communities and helping to make a real difference to people’s lives.

“Applications are now open and we are eager to hear about projects, groups and individuals local to where we are building that could benefit from a grant from the Edenstone Foundation.”

The Edenstone Foundation is looking to offer three community grants of up to £5,000, as well as 10 grants of £1,000.

Applications for funding should be made via the Edenstone Foundation website.

There are four application rounds each year after which applications are reviewed and grants issued.

The next round of funding will be allocated in mid to late January, with all requests assessed on an individual basis. Any monies allocated must be spent within 12 months.

The foundation has previously partnered with homelessness charity The Wallich and Compassion UK.

To find out more information and to apply visit edenstonefoundation.com