MORE than £300,000 has been paid out to schemes to reduce the visual impact of a controversial billion-pound waste facility now under construction.

The projects have ranged from the development of wildlife habitats to the refurbishing of a traditional old telephone kiosk.

Allerton Waste Recovery Park, near Knaresborough and the A1 motorway, is being built by Amey to treat the county’s waste and generate energy from it.

Part of the planning process involved the setting up of a landscape and cultural heritage fund to reduce the visual impact and enhance the character, biodiversity and cultural heritage of the local landscape within a 3.5km radius.

One project, from local care farm Nuzzlets, has led to the enhancement of wildlife habitats including additional planting and a new pond.

It has also led to an additional outdoor classroom which will assist when children, especially those with additional needs, come to visit the animals and learn about the natural world around them.

Arkendale, Coneythorpe and Clareton Parish Council made a successful application for more than £25,000 for costs of survey work and professional fees for two large replanting and regeneration projects and the cost of refurbishing a telephone box.

Spokesman Oliver Quarmby said: “The money has enabled us to undertake a number of projects which will provide a catalyst for further environmental improvements in and around the parish.

“In addition, the telephone box project has breathed life into a previously dilapidated heritage asset and we look forward to working with the community to come up with some creative ideas for its use.

“It could potentially house a local book exchange or a life-saving defibrillator.’’