PRESS RELEASE

COMMITTEE FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

8 January 2009

SD 06/08/09

ECO VILLAGE ‘AN EXEMPLAR SCHEME’ SAYS COMMITTEE

The eco village at Woodbrook, Lisburn, has been praised by the Committee for Social Development for setting new standards in sustainable development.

During the visit the Committee heard about the sustainable initiatives, the environmental advantages and the possibilities for the future which this development promotes, including the use of biomass fuel for heating.

Committee Chairperson, Mr David Simpson, MP MLA said, “The Committee is delighted to have had the opportunity to visit the eco village which is setting new standards in sustainable development. We were particularly impressed by the biomass district heating system which is fuelled by local willow trees. This will cut heating costs for these homeowners and will reduce this aspect of their carbon footprint by 75%.

“The Department for Social Development is tasked with improving energy efficiency in social housing. The Committee views exemplar schemes like the eco village as vital for informing the understanding of policy makers and pointing the way for the future.”

Committee Information:

Committee Membership: Mr David Simpson MP (DUP) (Chairperson); Mr David Hilditch (DUP) (Deputy Chairperson); Mr Billy Armstrong (UUP); Mr Mickey Brady (SF); Mr Thomas Burns (SDLP); Mr Jonathan Craig (DUP); Ms Anna Lo (ALL); Mr Alban Maginness (SDLP); Mr Fra McCann (SF); Ms Caral Ni Chuilin (SF); Miss Michelle McIlveen (DUP).

Media enquiries to:
Debra Savage ,
Press Office, Parliament Buildings, Belfast. BT4 3XX
Tel. 028 90521405 Mobile 07920 864221
Email: debra.savage@niassembly.gov.uk

Website archive.niassembly.gov.uk