Environmental projects in Colchester are to be given a nearly cash boost, it emerged today.

Cory Environmental - operators of Stanway's Bellhouse tip - has helped stump up a £400,000 initial lump sum for schemes and could also contribute up to £70,000 a year to keep them running.

The cash has arisen out of the Government's new Landfill Tax.

Companies can choose to claim back from Customs and Excise 20 per cent of the total amount of tax they pay - providing they match that with a ten per cent donation to an environmental scheme.

Cory Environmental has done just that and set up a committee of trustees in Colchester to decide who should get a slice of the money.

Organisers of projects - which must be within ten miles of the tip and on an environmental theme - will be invited to make a bid for the funds at the official launch of the scheme in December.

Schemes could include:

Land reclamation and restoration

Reducing pollution or mitigating the effects of pollution

Research and education on waste management

Environmental improvements near landfill site and

Repairing and restoring historical buildings and features around the site.

David Crozier, director of North and Mid Essex Chamber of Commerce, is deputy chairman of the trust and he said today the scheme was a welcome one.

He added: "The Chamber was invited to propose an appointment to the trust which we were happy to do as a reflection of the importance and responsibility of business in the environment.

"As the leading voice in the area for business it was an appreciated, and most welcome, invitation."

James Abbot, co-ordinator for the Essex Green Party also gave a cautious welcome.

He said if money was directed specifically into schemes which reduced the need for landfill, such as borough and county-wide recycling schemes, it would be "very good news."

But he said the type of scheme funded should be looked at carefully.

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