This is the view of William Beattie, managing director of environmental body EB Scotland.

The Landfill Communities Fund was launched in 1996 and so far, about £1.3 ($A2.5) billion has been awarded to more than 40,000 projects.

Beattie welcomed the steps taken by the UK Onshore Operator’s Group to introduce an independent system for community funding through the pilot scheme of exploration sites.

Shale operators have agreed to allocate a lump sum of £100,000 when a test well is fracced, plus 1% of revenues.

“Many lessons can be learned from the model used by the Landfill Communities Fund, particularly around the independent approach taken to consultation and funds allocation,” Beattie said.

“A financial injection can have a significant impact on a small rea and it is crucial projects leave a lasting legacy to benefit the greater good of the community and not the few individuals who should the loudest.”

EB Scotland, which merged with Score Environment, has overseen almost £30 million of community funding and Beattie is a former chairman of the Scottish Landfill Communities Fund Forum.

The majority of funds have been allocated to community assets (48%) from playgrounds to community woodlands. Heritage projects have taken up 24% of awards followed by sustainable waste management, biodiversity, and reclamation and remediation.

“There is no denying the similarities in public interest between landfill and shale developments and it is extremely important to get across the message that this is not a bribe for giving the green-light to operators,” Beattie said.

“An independent not-for-profit body can carry out a thorough consultation with a community on the best use of funds without the emotion of why and whether the development should be there in the first place.”

Beattie said the community fund could be the catalyst for delivering a much bigger project and could help kick-start a grass roots fundraising effort.

“The projects that have worked best have all shared strong community partnerships with a vision that reflects the needs and wants of the majority,” he said.

“Funding should not in any way be about supporting council capital expenditure and it’s best if driven by the public and not local authorities.”