WIREDGOV

A transformational community land project aiming to breathe new life into the urban landscape of Royston, Glasgow has today (FRIDAY 17 FEB) received a welcome cash boost from the Scottish Land Fund.

Copperworks Housing Association (CHA) will use its £419,000 award to bring two neglected areas of land into community ownership to be developed as greenspace areas for leisure, recreation and wellbeing activities.

The Glasgow group is one of 11 across Scotland sharing in £2,128,943 of Scottish Land Fund money following the decision to open up applications for funding to community land initiatives in both rural and urban Scotland. A full list of awards is available here.

With the backing of local people, CHA plan to purchase an open space at Millburn Street, locally known as the Triangle site, as well as smaller second site opposite the Millburn Centre.

Fiona Murphy, Director, CHA, said: “‘Copperworks Housing Association is absolutely delighted to have been awarded funding to purchase this site which has been a blight on our community for many years now. It is fantastic that we can bring this land back into local ownership and we are excited at the prospect of future regeneration, in consultation with local people. We are extremely grateful to the Scottish Land Fund for this very generous award and would also like to thank Rosemount Development Trust and Blochairn Housing Association for their support’.

Announcing the funding, John Watt, Scottish Land Fund Committee, said: “Today’s award to CHA is a great example of what can be achieved now that the opportunity for community ownership has been extended to all parts of Scotland. This project, based in the heart of Royston, has the potential to transform two neglected pieces of land into spaces that local people can be proud of. By owning the land they will have more control over their own futures and will have a greater say on how these areas are developed for community use.”

Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform, Roseanna Cunningham, said: “Our land is one of our most prized and valuable resources and has the potential to make communities stronger, more resilient and sustainable. This award is an example of what can be achieved through co-operation with other groups in an area and I am pleased that the Scottish Land Fund is able to support projects that deliver these sorts of benefits to communities that need them most.”

Ailsa Raeburn, Head of Community Assets at HIE, said: “These two areas of land are at the heart of the local community and have been derelict for many years. Giving the local community the opportunity to buy the sites and redevelop them for much needed green space will be a great outcome for local people.”

The Scottish Land Fund is keen to support more applications from across Scotland and particularly within urban areas. Groups considering applying should contact the Big Lottery Fund to discuss their idea at advicescotland@biglotteryfund.org.uk or by phoning 0300 123 7110.

For more information on this release please contact

Big Lottery Fund Scotland press office
landa.sullivan@biglotteryfund.org.uk
0141 242 1458

Highland and Islands Enterprise Press Office 
calum.macfarlane@hient.co.uk 
01463 244244

Notes to Editors

• The Scottish Land Fund reopened to applications in April 2016. The programme is funded by the Scottish Government and delivered in partnership by the Big Lottery Fund and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, both of which have extensive experience of helping communities to acquire and develop their assets for over a decade. 
• The SLF Committee was appointed following the normal procedures for public appointments. 
• The BIG Lottery Fund distributes lottery funding to health, education, environment and charitable causes across the UK. It also uses its expertise in grant-giving to distribute non-Lottery funding. Full details of the BIG Lottery Fund programmes and grant awards are available on the website: http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk. BIG Lottery Fund Public Enquiries Line call: 0300 123 7110
• Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) delivers the Scottish Government Economic Strategy across more than half of Scotland - from Shetland to Argyll and from the Hebrides to Moray. It aims to support businesses and social enterprises; strengthen communities and fragile areas; develop key sectors, and create the conditions for a competitive and low carbon region. HIE has an annual budget of more than £75m and employs around 250 people in locations around the Highlands and Islands. See more at www.hie.co.uk