More than 30 environmental community projects from across Greater Manchester have shared a £360,000 windfall to help them spruce up their local areas.

 

The cash has come from the Greening Greater Manchester initiative, a scheme designed to encourage communities to take part in projects that bring lasting benefits to local people and their environment.

 

The initiative is part of a wider national scheme set up through Biffaward, a multi-million pound fund that uses landfill tax credits donated to Biffa Waste Services to support worthwhile environmental projects across the UK.

 

This year is the eighth year of the Greening Greater Manchester project and means almost £5million has been shared among some 400 community organisations around the region.

 

The projects selected by a panel to receive a cash boost this year include programmes in Manchester, Salford, Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport, Tameside and Trafford.

 

The initiatives range from creating play and recreation facilities in parkland to improving wildlife habitats and restoring derelict land. Community orchards, outdoor classrooms, labyrinths, wildlife gardens, walkways, and wildflower meadows are just some of the projects that will now be tackled by community organisations.

 

Martin Bettington, Chairman of Biffaward, said: “This initiative in Greater Manchester has been a huge success, supporting many worthwhile community and environmental projects across the county.   I’m sure the eighth year of Greening Greater Manchester will build on this success, benefiting both local people and wildlife.”

 

Ian MacArthur, Regional Director, Groundwork Northwest said: “Green spaces are incredibly important for our health and well-being and for the image of our neighbourhoods. Every year Greening Greater Manchester helps to make the area a better place to live and we look forward to these latest projects being completed."