Funding support for coastal communities

The Scottish Government’s Crown Estate funding aims to help sustain coastal communities with key categories including; environment, community, climate change and economic development.

A range of proposed coastal projects will benefit from £800,000 of new Crown Estate funding following approval by Argyll and Bute Councillors.

Proposed projects include:

• Inveraray Avenue Screen refurbishment (£120,000)
• Gallanach Road, Oban – Rock Slope Protection (£300,000)
• Tarbert Heritage and Place Programme – Match funding (£115,000 for the next four years)
• CARS Projects – flexible fund to support businesses with capital improvements to shopfronts/buildings (£150,000)
• Victoria Hall, Campbeltown – repair and refurbish entire front elevation of building (£50,000)
• Dunoon Public Realm (£65,000)

Councillor Jim Lynch, Policy Lead for Economic Development, Islands and Rural Communities and Housing said:

“Crown Estate funding is specifically targeted at supporting and enhancing our coastal communities. This latest investment helps ensure that we continue to improve and progress key infrastructure projects in our coastal areas and add further value to investment already established via our other funding initiatives across Argyll and Bute.”

“This year’s allocation of funding represents a positive mix of community interest projects, climate change initiatives, support for businesses and our tourism industries. With continued investment, we can build on the work already progressing within our communities and help grow the local economy, enhance our community spaces and facilities, and welcome visitors to Argyll and Bute.”

For the 2025-26 allocation, Councillors also approved a change to funding previously agreed for a campervan site at Dunoon’s Glenmorag Car Park.

In 2023, the Policy and Resources Committee allocated £100,000 to deliver a scheme at the West Bay in Dunoon to create a safe parking space for a motorhome/campervan where the occupants are able to sleep, relax, prepare and eat food within the confines of the vehicle, known as an Aires. Following a review earlier this year, it became clear the initial proposal was not viable.

Following work to identify alternative locations for an Aires-style facility within Bute and Cowal, the Council has redesigned the development as the Cowal Aires Project.

The revised plan will see installation of 10 hardstanding bays at Tor Aluinn, Bullwood in Dunoon, staggered to enhance privacy between vehicles.

The picnic area will see upgrades with the installation of 10 new picnic benches, each accessible for wheelchair users and designed with integrated barbecue sections to ensure family-friendly use of the site. Directional signage and QR-code-based visitor guidance will enable self -managed, app-based payment and encourage responsible use.

Councillors had also previously agreed £200,000 of Crown Estates funding to support initial phases of the Kintyre Sea Sports project including demolition of the existing pavilion building and temporary accommodation to enable work to begin. The Council will now re-direct funding to ensure the start of onsite works and to progress other key project activities including the installation of fencing and gates and boundary wall removal.