First batch of funding from landfill tax
credits scheme at Mullaghaglass
Lagan Valley
MP, Jeffrey Donaldson MLA and
councillor Ronnie Crawford,
Mayor of Lisburn announce
funding of �166K for local
environment community projects
through the Alpha programme.
OVER �166,000 has been allocated to four
environmental and biodiversity projects in the greater Lisburn
and Belfast area in the first batch of funding from the Alpha
Programme announced at a reception in Lisburn City Council.
 The
four are the first to be given funding through the programme
created to distribute landfill tax credits from the Mullaghglass
landfill site to environmental and conservation projects within
a ten-mile radius of the site.
The successful applicants include the Royal
Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), the Woodland Trust,
Crewe United Football Club in Glenavy and the Glenbank Community
Complex in North Belfast.
The Chairman of the Alpha Programme Steering
Group, Frank McGlone said: "We have been delighted by the volume
and quality of applications we have received to date and as this
is an ongoing process we hope that some of the groups who missed
out this time may be successful in future rounds of funding.
"It is anticipated that in the region of
�250,000 per annum will be available over the next 10 years for
environmental and biodiversity projects in the area."
The RSPB secured the funding for its
biodiversity project at Portmore Lough which aims to establish
the reserve as a centre for lapwing recovery in the Lough Neagh
wetlands, improving the habitat and protecting and securing the
area for the birds to live and breed.
 Seymour
Hill received funding through the Woodland Trust for the
development of a 1.5km pathway through the local woodland which
will open the area up to a wider range of users, including young
people.
Crewe United Football Club in Glenavy
received funding for the development of a new sports pitch which
should ensure the site is not only in a better condition but
also making it more accessible and available for the general
public and relevant parties. Currently the Club cannot
facilitate the many requests for the use of their facilities due
to the poor condition of the pitch and drainage problems. This
funding will also enable a wider range of sports to be played on
the pitch.
North Belfast's Glenbank Community Complex
secured funding for the development of a woodland trail which
will involve environmental regeneration of the land beside the
complex transforming it into a safe and secure recreational area
for local residents, community groups and young people. The
Programme, managed by Groundwork NI invites groups to apply for
grants that will be allocated to those organisations that can
demonstrate that they have the ideas to transform their local
surroundings for the better.
For information on the programme, to download
the application form and guidance notes or to check the closing
dates for submitting application visit
www.groundworkni.org.uk All projects must be located within
ten miles of the Mullaghglass landfill site at Castlerobin near
Lisburn.
This covers the greater Lisburn and Belfast
areas, with Crumlin and areas towards Nutts Corner all eligible
to apply.
Ulster Star
11/07/2008
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