Hazelbank sensory garden among access projects approved

Funding has been approved for a series of accessibility projects in Antrim and Newtownabbey which will include a new sensory garden at Hazelbank Park.
Antrim Castle GardensAntrim Castle Gardens
Antrim Castle Gardens

The Department for Communities has approved five funding applications from the borough council through its Access and Inclusion programme.

Hazelbank sensory garden will cost £30,000 to complete.

An accessibility trail has been earmarked for V36 in Newtownabbey and Threemilewater Park at a cost of £30,000 each.

Funding of £8,000 has been approved for a set of automatic doors at Mossley Mill in Newtownabbey.

A sensory garden is to be created at Antrim Castle Gardens at a cost of £30,000.

The projects which received full funding from the Department must be completed by the end of March.

However, an application for funding for a “boardwalk” at Rea’s Wood in Antrim was unsuccessful as this was deemed by the Department to be “related to maintenance, repair and operations and therefore was not eligible under this programme”.

Speaking at a meeting of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council’s Community Planning Committee on Monday evening, Antrim Ulster Unionist Alderman Paul Michael BEM noted the Department’s concerns over a “maintenance and repair operation” for the Rea’s Wood project.
Click here to read: £150k sought for Antrim and Newtownabbey disability access projects

Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter.

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