A CHURCH extension, a skate park and gents’ lavatories are among Oxfordshire projects to share in more than £400,000 of grant funding.

Twelve groups have been awarded cash by the environmental body Wren – generated by the Landfill Communities Fund – to support community and recreation projects across the county.

The Oxford Wheels Project, the group hoping to provide skateboarders and BMXers with a permanent park in the city, was handed £50,000.

The project’s executive officer, Jack Richens, said the money was a fantastic boost.

“The Wren grant is really significant because it pushes us close to the halfway mark in terms of funding,” he said.

Skaters must raise £300,000 to replace temporary ramps at Meadow Lane with a more permanent park. The plan also requires planning permission and Mr Richens said a fresh application would be submitted to Oxford City Council in the coming weeks.

Another city-based project to be awarded £50,000 is the extension to a 19th century church in Wolvercote – which is part of a wider £440,000 improvement scheme.

St Peter’s Church, in First Turn, started work on an extension to its existing church room, a listed former school house, built around 1847, last week.

Chairman of the church’s development fund, Peter Bridges, said the grant money would be used to fit out the extension once it is complete in spring 2011.

“This is a tremendous boost to the project and it was vital that we got it,” he said. “We have now raised £380,000 since March last year.”

Other organisations to receive funding were Magdalen Road Church in Oxford, Abingdon County Hall Museum and Brownes Hall in Carterton.

Matthew Cox, Wren’s grant manager, said: “These grant offers will make a good number of local schemes become a reality.

“Work on some of these projects is already under way and it will not be long before they are complete and ready to begin making a difference for local people.”

He added: “Wren is always pleased to be able to help communities improve and create facilities which will make a difference.”

  • Organisations and community groups requiring funding for projects should visit wren.org.uk or call 01953 717165.