Community projects get £25 million funding

The Old Clyne School Redevelopment Project Photo from @oldclyneschool (Facebook)
Katharine Johnston

 More than £25 million is going to disadvantaged and remote communities around Scotland to support regeneration and employment projects.

The money from the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (RCGF) will go to 26 projects to tackle inequalities and deliver inclusive growth.  

Over 400 business and organisations will benefit from the projects which will support or create more than 1220 jobs as well as thousands of training places by refurbishing and bringing back into use 26 empty buildings to provide space for community enterprises.

Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell said:

“Together with COSLA we have invested almost £200 million through this fund since 2014 in support of locally-led regeneration projects which help to build the resilience and wellbeing of communities. I am pleased that a further 26 projects will benefit from the fund as we look to a period of recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We have had to lead our lives locally, pulling together more as communities, to see off the many challenges arising from coronavirus. This latest round of investment into local projects continues our ongoing support for vibrant and accessible town centres and communities.”

COSLA’s Environment and Economy spokesperson Councillor Steven Heddle said:

“This work has never been more important as we look to rebuild from the devastating impact of COVID-19. Recovery from the virus must be fair to our communities and promote inclusivity, growth and wellbeing.

“The innovative projects announced today can empower our communities to deliver better places to live and work.”

Among the projects being funded this year is The Old Clyne School Redevelopment Project in Brora, Highland (pictured above). It will redevelop a derelict C-listed building to become a community-owned museum and heritage centre, and to be a base for the Clyne Heritage Society.

Dr Nick Lindsay, Chairman of the Clyne Heritage Society said:

“This is the best news that we could have hoped for, in what has been a very difficult year. This should unlock the final ‘brick-in-the-wall’ funds from other funding partners, so we can deliver this major development for Brora.

“We can now fulfil our dreams by regenerating the Old Clyne School into a must-visit destination, transforming a current eyesore into a welcome attraction for the whole community and future generations.”

Background

The Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (RCGF) is delivered annually in partnership between the Scottish Government and COSLA.

The RCGF will award £24.1 million in grants to 26 new projects this year, in addition to funding for multiyear projects which will take the total to more than £25 million going to communities this year.

The fund is open, on a competitive basis, to applications from all 32 Scottish local authorities and Urban Regeneration Companies. An independent investment panel agrees recommendations to Scottish Ministers and COSLA on projects to be offered grant support. Updated information, including the latest projects recommended to receive an offer of grant for 2021-22, will be published on the Scottish Government website.

The projects to receive an offer of a grant in 2021-22 are as follows:

Aberdeen City Council

Victoria Road School Community Element

£    1,408,965

Aberdeenshire Council

Number 30, The Square

£    2,490,903

Argyll and Bute Council

Kilmory Park Zones 1, 2 & 4, Lochgilphead

£      650,000

Argyll and Bute Council

Port Ellen Community Hub

 £    746,223

Argyll and Bute Council

Scalasaig Business Units

£     335,000

City of Edinburgh Council

Granton Station; Enterprise Hub

£    1,236,150

City of Edinburgh Council

Nourishing Leith Hub

£       944,744

Comhairlie nan Eilean Siar

Leverhulme Community Hub

£       300,000

Dundee City Council

Camperdown Community Growing Hub

£       899,305

East Dunbartonshire Council

Twechar Outdoor Pursuits Training and Education Centre

£     1,100,000

Fife Council

Town House Community Hub - Inverkeithing

£        475,000

Glasgow City Council

The Meat Market Sheds Regeneration Project

£      2,640,000

Glasgow City Council

Greater Pollok Community Learning Hub

£        600,000

Glasgow City Council

SWG3: Yardworks Street Arts Hub

£        500,000

Highland Council

Old Clyne School Redevelopment into new Heritage Centre

£        982,793

Highland Council

Raasay Community Pontoon

£        442,858

Inverclyde Council

The Inverclyde Shed | Meet, Make + Share

£        504,804

Inverclyde Council

Community Hub , KGVI

£     1,184,000

North Ayrshire Council

The Regeneration of Millport Town Hall

£      1,500,000

North Ayrshire Council

Stevenston Beach Hub

£        130,000

North Lanarkshire Council

Reeltime, Motherwell – Music Studios & Creative Hub

£     1,171,270

North Lanarkshire Council

Springhill Community Hub

£       790,000

Perth and Kinross Council

The Perth Y Centre

£     1,500,000

Scottish Borders Council

Yetholm Community Asset Regeneration Project

£       133,710

South Ayrshire Council

Enterprising Carrick

£       729,659

West Dunbartonshire Council

Viresco Studios and Arts Centre

£       750,000