Eight councils awarded over £850k regeneration funding

EIGHT Scots locals authorities are to share over £850,000, to carry out regeneration works on their patch.

The councils – Aberdeen City, Argyll & Bute, Fife, Glasgow City, Moray, North Lanarkshire, South Ayrshire and The City of Edinburgh – are to receive between them £863,000 from between Scottish Government agency, Historic Environment Scotland, and the National Lottery (its Heritage Fund).

Says HES, here: “HES and the Heritage Fund have joined forces to jointly provide area-based funding, through the new Heritage & Place Programme (H&PP) run by HES to support the regeneration of Scotland’s places, and the Heritage Fund’s Thriving Places commitment to create better places to live, work and visit.

“This is the first time that both organisations have jointly encouraged projects to apply for development grants, providing access to a larger pool of resources for heritage projects across the country. This could lead to a total investment of up to £19.8 million in the communities.”

The recipients are (according to HES’s reporting of the story):

Buckhaven, Fife Council: £170,000

For a project to restore the remaining built heritage within Buckhaven, alongside public realm works and community-focused engagement.

HES development grant: £85,000

Heritage Fund development grant: £85,000

Girvan, South Ayrshire Council: £170,000

For a project to revive Girvan’s identity as a destination. The project will research, interpret, educate and celebrate the heritage of the town; protect and repair the historic fabric of the townscape; and stimulate economic regeneration.

HES development grant: £85,000

Heritage Fund development grant: £85,000

Airdrie, North Lanarkshire Council: £150,000

To transform Airdrie town centre and the local economy, establishing Airdrie as a vibrant place and a centre for creativity, culture, enterprise and learning through restoring and repurposing heritage assets and engaging with the local community and visitors to connect them with Airdrie’s heritage.

HES development grant: £50,000

Heritage Fund development grant: £100,000

Govan, Glasgow City Council: £87,900

For a project to tackle the next phase of restoration in Govan’s built heritage, with a focus on bringing disused sites back into sustainable use.

HES development grant: £43,950

Heritage Fund development grant: £43,950

Aberdeen, Aberdeen City Council: £86,350

For the regeneration of the east end of Union Street which has high levels of vacancy, resultant deterioration and a lack of investment compared to other areas. There will be repairs to five priority buildings and public realm improvements alongside a community engagement and skills development programme.

HES development grant: £43,175

Heritage Fund development grant: £43,175

Tarbert, Argyll & Bute Council: £80,000

To create new economic opportunities through support of local businesses and increased tourism. Restored historic buildings will protect the unique character of this fishing village and provide better routes for young people in particular to stay in the area.

HES development grant: £40,000

Heritage Fund development grant: £40,000

Forres, Moray Council: £66,000

This project will protect the distinctive historic character and attractiveness of Forres and take steps to green the conservation area and connect those spaces with local parks.

HES development grant: £33,000

Heritage Fund development grant: £33,000

Granton Waterfront, The City of Edinburgh Council: £52,800

To rescue, preserve and enhance a range of ‘B’ and ‘C’ listed built heritage assets within the Granton Waterfront area, including the Granton Lighthouse, and provide training opportunities in traditional building skills.

HES development grant: £26,400

Heritage Fund development grant: £26,400

The Edinburgh cash is towards a wider regeneration of the city’s north district, Granton – estimated to be a £1.3bn project creating a ‘new town’.

Says an announcement from The City of Edinburgh, here, about its near £53,000: “The money will be used to develop ideas and proposals for the refurbishment of Granton Lighthouse; the Edwardian former Granton Gasworks railway station building platforms; Madelvic House, which is ‘B’-listed from the 1890s, and Granton Castle Walled Garden.

“This first phase of funding will support the creation of high-quality sustainable development plans over the next 12 months, with the potential that Historic Environment Scotland and Heritage Fund will then award further funding to deliver the projects in the coming years.”

Pictured: Statue outside Govan underground station, of Mary Barbour, who led rent strikes in 1915, Picture credit: Place Design Scotland

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