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The Sensory Garden
A place of tranquility
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Castle Vale resident Mrs Marjorie Green celebrates
the 4000 eco-lightbulb give-away initiative.
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Castle Vale HAT has been at the forefront of the Government's own Greening Operations. New homes are built to high energy efficiency standards and softwood frames for windows are being used rather than UPVC. The environmental agenda includes a range of initiatives from the development of ‘Eco-homes’ to awareness raising campaigns around litter and recycling, as well as a continued commitment to making environmental enhancements. A community led environment trust has been set up and supported to meet the challenges of environmental sustainability. The Castle Vale Community Environmental Trust (CVCET) is now taking the lead in developing environmental schemes on behalf of the community.
Internally, the HAT has continued to find ways of saving energy and develop ways of working in a more energy efficient environment. Examples include office paper recycling, demolition waste recycling and a 'switch off lights' practice.
Examples of initiatives:
- Provision of 4000 free eco-light bulbs (2 per household) to encourage energy saving. Provision of water butts and compost bins to estate households.
- Working with local schools on a range of projects including the Eco-Schools programme.
- Holding estate-wide litter picks, developing a new Centre Park, along with the Castle Vale Millennium Woodland and other garden projects.
- Enhancing the area with massive bulb planting schemes and tree "give-away" schemes.
- Introducing 19 Public Art Features developed with residents.
- Supporting young people's environmental groups.
- Integrating different forms of transport, through a perimeter walk way, cycle path and bridle path (Project Wagtail).
- Planting semi-mature trees along main roads.
If you would like more information about the Castle Vale Community Environmental Trust please visit the website www.cvcet.org.uk.
