Funding of £200,000 has been announced for a range of water quality projects across Northern Ireland by Environment Minister Edwin Poots.
The Minister made his announcement during a visit to a farm in the Faughan Valley, which received almost £7,000 under the 2020/21 Scheme to assist with the creation of wet woodland at the farm, in a partnership with Woodland Trust and Loughs Agency.
Under the WTNI Faughan Valley volunteer programme, local people helped plant the trees and will undertake monitoring of the project, as well as helping to maintain the site as it develops and grows.
This project showcases how a nature-based solution can help protect rivers from potential pollution, as well as keeping water on the farm in times of drought and providing a future timber resource in the form of native trees for other landowners and farmers.
The 2021/22 strand of the fund is aimed at local communities and voluntary organisations to run small projects to bring about improvements in their local water environment.
Welcoming the launch of this year's scheme, Minister Poots said: "Due to the success of last year's Water Quality Improvement strand of the Environmental Challenge Fund Competition, I am pleased to announce a further £200,000 of funding in this financial year. It has been inspiring to see the accomplishments achieved by recipients of the grant in 2020. The project here in the Faughan valley is an excellent example of the type of work the Department is supporting to tackle some of the big issues facing us such as climate change mitigation, water quality protection and biodiversity loss.
"I wholeheartedly support this type of partnership working with environmental organisations and I wish to acknowledge the significant contribution that partnering with the Department can make to our aquatic environment. I look forward to visiting other projects in the future to see the benefits of this collaboration."
The closing date for applications for the 2021/22 Water Quality Improvement Strand of the Environmental Challenge Fund Competition is 28th June 2021.
Construction News
10/06/2021
Funding Announced For Water Quality Improvement Projects


03/07/2025
Associated British Ports (ABP) has submitted a reserved matters application for 103,000 sq ft of speculative industrial and logistics space at Helm @ Immingham.
This marks the first phase of development at the 227-acre site.
The scheme will deliver a range of purpose-built units from 4,820 sq ft

03/07/2025
First Choice Homes Oldham (FCHO) is set to begin a major new phase of energy efficiency upgrades this month, with a £6.1 million investment aimed at improving 645 homes across the borough.
Starting 14 July, properties in Abbey Hills, Roundthorn, Shaw, and several estates in Chadderton will receive

03/07/2025
Plans to boost North Lincolnshire's transport infrastructure have reached a significant milestone with the completion of Phase 1 of the M181 'southern junction' project.
Led by North Lincolnshire Council in partnership with National Highways, the multi-million-pound scheme includes the construction

03/07/2025
The multi-million-pound refurbishment of Watford Colosseum has reached practical completion, with the historic venue now officially handed over to operator AEG Presents UK.
Led by Watford Borough Council and delivered by Morgan Sindall Construction's Northern Home Counties division, the major upgra

03/07/2025
Sigma Capital Group has announced the acquisition of four new development sites worth around £100 million in gross development cost (GDC), continuing its strategic partnership with Vistry Group.
The projects will deliver 415 new single-family rental homes across England, further cementing Sigma's

03/07/2025
A major £215,000 upgrade to the Winsover Road level crossing in Spalding is set to begin this Saturday night, 5 July, aimed at improving rail reliability and ensuring safety for motorists, pedestrians and rail users.
The essential works will see a full replacement of the life-expired crossing surfa

03/07/2025
A former office building in Cardiff Bay has been given a new lease of life, with 33 high-quality council apartments now handed over to Cardiff Council as part of a wider redevelopment to deliver 78 new homes.
The Scott Harbour building, once a commercial office block, is undergoing a major conversi

03/07/2025
Social value specialist Loop has launched the UK's first monetised social value metrics tool tailored specifically for the housing sector, offering developers a new, data-driven approach to strengthen planning applications, engage communities and showcase real-world benefits.
Developed in partnersh

02/07/2025
Construction is officially underway on the new Whitefield Community Fire Station, part of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service's (GMFRS) £38 million Estates Improvement Programme.
Led by Robertson Construction North West, the project will replace the former fire station on Bury New Road with

02/07/2025
Hull City Council has officially appointed Esh Construction to lead a major repair and strengthening programme on Drypool Bridge, one of the city's key transport links.
The project will be delivered in partnership with engineering consultancy Mason Clark Associates.
Work will begin on the south s