Chalk and Cheese

The Dorset Chalk and Cheese Local Action Group area is entirely within the administrative County of Dorset and the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is based on the Dorset chalklands which stretch in a belt across the County from the extensive chalklands of Wiltshire in the northeast, to the Marshwood and Powerstock chalklands in the west. The area corresponds closely with the Dorset Downs and Cranborne Chase Character Area as defined by the Countryside Agency and English Nature.

Dorset Chalk and Cheese Local Action Group involves a provisional total funding package of £2.55m. Of this total over £1.1m will come out of EU funds - the partnership will need to match this pound for pound from other public sources of money with the balance coming from the private sector.

The Overall aim of the Dorset Chalk and Cheese programme is

"to demonstrate that sustainable rural communities can be achieved in an area of outstanding natural environment, both in landscape and scientific terms as emphasised by the designated areas of outstanding natural beauty."

The Chalk and Cheese programme aims to add value to local products and seeks to diversify the main economic base of the area while maintaining a prosperous agriculture division as that which shapes the landscape. The Main target groups are

• Rural businesses and workers affected by restructuring
• Women