Scottish government invests £20m into regeneration projects

Regeneration projects in Scotland are set to share a £20.4m pot of funding, the Scottish government has announced.

A total of 18 projects will receive funding over this financial year as part of the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund, which supports locally developed regeneration projects.

The investment, made jointly by the Scottish government and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla), is expected to create over 600 jobs and support 64 community facilities or services, benefiting over 150 local businesses or enterprises.

It will also refurbish and bring back into use 17 buildings and create more than 6,400 square metres of business space.

Aileen Campbell, the Scottish local government secretary, said: ‘I’m really pleased that 18 fantastic, community-led projects will benefit from this significant investment. Projects right across Scotland will receive support which will regenerate their local area by stimulating inclusive growth and supporting and creating jobs.

‘The projects being supported are wide ranging and collectively will help tackle inequality and support inclusive growth in disadvantaged communities and fragile rural areas.

‘These projects will deliver new training places and volunteering opportunities and support new community assets. This will build community cohesion, help tackle poverty, address health inequality and provide childcare facilities while bringing back into use historic and landmark buildings.’

One example of the projects that will be supported is the refurbishment of Glasgow’s Govanhill Baths, with Glasgow City Council set to receive £2.15m in funding for the project.

The funding will support the re-opening of the Edwardian baths for the local community, while local social enterprise initiatives will benefit from its refurbished spaces.

Other funding decisions include a £2m boost for Aberdeen City Council’s new community hub in Torry, £2.26m for a new three-screen cinema in Montrose, and £1.8m for a new building dedicated to Gaelic culture on the Hebridean island of South Uist.

Cosla’s environment and economy spokesperson, Cllr Steven Heddle, said: ‘I’m delighted to see these further projects to be funded by the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund in 2019/20.

‘These diverse projects from local authorities across Scotland all reflect localised approaches to regeneration and will deliver strong physical, economic, and social outcomes.

‘Importantly, these projects also allow councils to deliver on the regeneration aspirations of the communities they represent. It’s heartening to see the impact this fund is having and I look forward to seeing what projects come forward for funding in the future.’

Since 2014/15, 136 projects have been recommended for support from the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund.

The fund is open to applications from all 32 Scottish local authorities or their special purpose vehicles such as urban regeneration companies.

Image credit: Edwardx