Trust gives £400k to community projects (From Echo)

Trust gives £400k to community projects

10:30am Friday 12th March 2010 in

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A WASTE trust has pledged £400,000 towards supporting community projects in Basildon and Castle Point.

Veolia ES Cleanaway Pitsea Marshes Trust agreed to fund ten new projects and three existing schemes following its first meeting in 2010.

Among those to benefit will be the RSPB, which has received £50,000 to help create a habitat for water voles in Bowers Marsh, off Church Road, Pitsea.

Water voles are a protected species and the money will be spent on environmental surveys and groundworks to make the parkland area an attractive and safe spot for the bank-dwelling creatures.

David Hedges, area manager for the RSPB, said: “We are extremely grateful to Veolia. It has once more been very generous.” Work is expected to start in April.

Another project to benefit was the Guideacres campsite, in Thundersley, which is used by Girl Guides throughout south Essex.

The trust has given £14,200 to pay for surfacing work on the campsite’s car park.

Castle Point councillor Ray Howard, who also sits on the trust’s board, said: “Guideacres is a terrific facility. The only problem was getting in there.

“Hopefully, this will mean a few less parents get muddy feet when they drop their kids off.”

Elsewhere, £20,000 will go towards St John’s Church, in Langdon Hills, which is planning to build new childcare and kitchen facilities, as well as a meeting room and office space.

The trust was formed ten years ago by Pitsea landfill site owners Veolia to support projects close to the site. It has distributed £8.5million in the past decade.

The company pays the trust cash which would otherwise be paid to Customs and Revenue as part of its landfill tax.

Applications for 2010 funding can be made to Gary Baker on 01708 520061, or by e-mailing him at gary@cleanwaytrust.co.uk For more information, visit www.veoliacleanawaytrusts. co.uk