£14 million to transform communities

24 Nov 2014 02:36 PM

Disadvantaged areas benefit from regeneration boost

A £14 million cash boost to transform disadvantaged areas in Scotland has been announced by Housing and Welfare Minister Margaret Burgess and Cllr Stephen Hagan, COSLA Spokesperson for Development, Economy and Sustainability.

A total of 18 local projects will receive a share of £14.343 million from the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (RCGF). This is the second round of funding to be delivered under RCGF, which is already providing 22 projects with £27.6 million in grant support.

The fund has been developed by the Scottish Government in partnership with local authorities to deliver new and improved infrastructure in deprived areas.

Overall, £50 million is being invested through the fund in the period 2014/15 and 2015/16.

This includes £8 million set aside for Urban Regeneration Companies (URCs) to further support the successful regeneration of some of our most disadvantaged communities.

Awards to be made in the latest funding round include:

• £1.4 million towards the Denny Town Centre regeneration project, which will help create a redeveloped town centre square combining a contemporary library with enhanced IT and community facilities.
• £1.3 million to support the delivery of a community campus in the Menzieshill area of Dundee that will provide a new GP surgery, library, learning centre and community space.
• £1.63 million to support the Middlefield Community Project in Aberdeen by developing state of the art purpose-built accommodation as an addition to the existing Henry Rae Community Centre. It will provide childcare places, youth facilities, as well as a space for local community services, adult learning and recreational community activities for all groups.
• £1.8 million towards the restoration of a derelict and vacant landmark B-listed building in Parkhead, Glasgow. The building will be converted into a local enterprise centre and skills and employability hub by housing a flexible community space and office suites capable of accommodating businesses at all stages of development.
• £350,000 to the Uist Heritage Regeneration Programme, which comprises a suite of three community-led interlinked heritage developments that will collectively enhance the fragile and peripheral islands economically, socially, culturally and environmentally.
• £397,308 to a Horticultural Training and Community Facility in Greenock, a community initiative supported and facilitated by Inverclyde Council. The building will comprise training, meeting, and office space, along with a hall area and café. The facility will support individuals and help move them back into sustainable employment.

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