Conservation grants totalling almost £5m to go to four Scots locations

THREE Scots towns and one Scots city have together been awarded ‘conservation grants’ totalling almost £5m.

In an announcement from Scottish Government agency, Historic Environment Scotland, the towns of Dumfries, Helensburgh and Dunbar, plus the city of Stirling, will benefit from the Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS) – here.

The Historic Environment Scotland’s £4,502,575 is aimed at stimulating regeneration and hopefully attracting further investment in the future.

The figures are: £762,101 for Dumfries, £1,113,949 for Dunbar, £1,240,000 for Helensburgh and £1,386,525 for Stirling.

Says HES, in an announcement, here: “Buildings which have been prioritised for works include the B-listed Alhambra Theatre and Arcade in Stirling and the former Lothian Hotel in Dunbar which was built in the late 18th century.

“Each CARS scheme will deliver a combination of larger building repair projects, small grants schemes providing funding for repairs to properties in private ownership, community engagement and education activities, and professional training activities and opportunities, all of which will contribute to sustainable economic and community development within the Conservation Area.

“The schemes, managed by the local authority, will last for five years with works commencing in April.

“CARS was launched in 2007 to encourage local authorities to invest in their historic environment by repairing and restoring the built environment whilst helping to stimulate economic regeneration.

“Since then, over £50 million funding has been invested in Scotland’s high streets, towns and cities. More than 40 CARS schemes have now been completed, with the funding supporting the creation of over 600 jobs and more than 270 new businesses, and almost 50,000m2 of vacant space has been brought back into use.”

Pictured: Dunbar harbour

Picture credit: PlaceDesignScotland