Construction has commenced on a development to enhance a successful Co Down community serving those with learning disabilities.

Glencraig Camphill Community near Holywood - which helps the less able to live and work in an extended family setting with support volunteers - hosted the Stormont Energy Minister, Arlene Foster, who laid the foundation stone for a biomass fuelled district heating system.

She heard how the Glencraig Community was successful in winning a grant from the Department of Energy and Climate Change's Low Carbon Communities Challenge (LCCC) to reduce carbon emissions, improve local energy efficiency, make savings on fuel costs and create local employment opportunities.

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Speaking at the ceremony the Energy Minister said: "Camphill Community have already shown that they lead the field in using sustainable energy by installing a biomass heating system at their Clanabogan community near Omagh in 1998.

"Using the latest technology capable of burning biomass from managed woodland, as well as wood from within the Community, this new innovative renewable heating system will provide the residents with an affordable energy supply.

"Not only will it help to reduce bills, lower the dependence on fossil fuels and significantly reduce carbon emissions, but it will also contribute towards Northern Ireland's 10% renewable heat target," she said.

The DUP MLA Arlene Foster was joined by Gillian Weir, of the Camphill Community, to help bury a commemorative urn in the foundations of the new heating system at Glencraig in Cultra.

When fully commissioned the community at Glencraig expect their one megawatt plant will also be able to provide renewable heat to neighbouring organisations as well as their own.

(BMcC/GK)