Mendip District Council is developing its Waterlinks regeneration application following £500,000 of lottery funding.

Waterlinks – a collection of schemes aimed at improving access and use of Somerset’s river and canal network for local residents – is one of six community projects across the UK shortlisted for the Big Lottery Fund’s Living Landmarks: The People’s Millions competition.

The winning project – decided by a public vote on a national television programme later this year – will receive £25-–50m to transform, revitalise and regenerate their community.

Land Use Consultants and development consultants Roger Tym and Partners will gather ideas for presentation to the district council by the end of the month, which will be discussed with the public before submission to the Big Lottery Fund in late spring.

Architects Quattro Design and civil engineers White Young and Green are also working on the project.

Cllr Harvey Siggs, portfolio holder for community and regeneration, said: “Waterlinks is an ambitious project, but one which we hope will bring huge benefits to Mendip, if it is successful.” Details: www.mendip.gov.uk