Beach Road Reserve boosted by carrier bag levy

This includes the creation of new habitats and the enhancement of others as well as improving access and interpretation of the site’s assets.

In June, community groups and schools were invited to apply for funding for projects which would give their local environment a boost.

Transition Town is one of 33 groups sharing £211,549 from the DOE’s Challenge Fund for environmental projects.

Announcing the successful applicants, Environment Minister Mark H Durkan said: “It is heart warming to see so many people in our community coming together to produce innovative schemes to enhance their local environment. I commend them for it.

“It is fitting that 33 community group projects will get a leg up from Government. I pledged that money raised from our 5p levy on carrier bags would be ploughed back into the environment . The Challenge Fund is one way of doing that.”

The Challenge Fund remains open for schools until September 25.