New footpath makes Hollins scenic walk easier

Walkers are sure to welcome a new woodland footpath which is about to be built though Hollins Local Nature Reserve.

Following a successful fundraising campaign, work can now start to improve access through part of the nature reserve known as Hollins Plantation.

Many local people and primary school children have used the area over the years for outdoor learning and environmental education organised by Bury Council’s local nature reserves officer and the ranger service.

The project will upgrade the unsurfaced path that passes through the woodland with a surfaced path with bench seating along the route. The work will take four weeks and will cost around £11,500. Once completed, the footpath will make access to the woodland easier for a great many more visitors.

Funding has come in the form of a grant for over £11,000 awarded by The Veolia Environmental Trust through the Landfill Communities Fund, while the Hollins Conservation Group has also made a contribution.

Mark Wilson, the project’s manager, said: “The grant from The Veolia Environmental Trust has made a significant improvement to a well used and vital area of green space within Hollins Village.”

Paul Taylor, executive director of The Veolia Environmental Trust, added: “The Trust works to support community and environmental projects across the UK. It is great to hear that this one is starting and I look forward to seeing the completed access improvements.”

ENDS

Press release issued: 5 February 2015.

Notes to editors:

Landfill Tax and the Landfill Communities Fund (LCF).

Any waste that is discarded which cannot be reused, reprocessed or recycled may ultimately be disposed of in a landfill site. To encourage Landfill site Operators (LOs) to re-use, recycle, recover more value from waste and use more environmentally friendly methods of waste disposal, Landfill Tax is charged on each tonne of waste sent to landfill.

LOs are able to redirect a small proportion of landfill tax liability (currently 5.1%) to support a wide range of community and environmental projects in the vicinity of their landfill sites through the Landfill Communities Fund (LCF). The LCF is regulated by ENTRUST on behalf of HM Revenue & Customs, and the projects are delivered by enrolled Environmental bodies (EBs).

Since its inception in 1996, over £1.3 billion has been spent on more than 50,000 projects across the UK. For further information, please visit www.entrust.org.ukor see HMRC’s general guide to Landfill Tax

The Veolia Environmental Trust has been supporting community and environmental projects for over 16 years. Since we were established in 1997, Veolia has supported us by contributions of over £60 million to 1839 projects.

We have helped fund a diverse range of projects, including the repair of woodland footpaths, the renovation of community halls and the installation of playgrounds and play areas. For more information, or to find out how to apply for funding, visit our website www.veoliatrust.org.