This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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DEPUTY FIRST MINISTER OPENS £2-2 MILLION ROTHESAY DEVELOPMENT
31/08/2001
A new £2.17 million housing and business development in the heart of Rothesay's Victorian conservation area exemplifies the commitment of the Scottish Executive to halt the decline in Scotland's rural economies, Deputy First Minister Jim Wallace said today on a visit to Bute.
The Minister performed the official opening of the Victoria Street development on Rothesay sea front, which has been designed to provide a number of business units as well as 24 new flats providing a mix of mixed, shared ownership and owner occupied housing.
The development is the work of Bute Beyond 2000, a partnership of Bute Housing Association Ltd, Argyll and Bute Council, Argyll and Islands Enterprise, Historic Scotland and Scottish Homes.
Performing the official opening of the development, Mr Wallace said:
"The delivery of this project by Bute Housing Association, working with other agencies, has provided quality homes for local people to live in. It will help address the needs of the local community, increasing the supply of good quality affordable social rented and shared ownership housing, particularly for older people with particular needs.
"The Scottish Executive places close partnership working at the heart of its social justice and housing strategies and this development clearly demonstrates what can be achieved when the local authority, enterprise and housing agencies and community interests tackle local issues together. Not only are Rothesay's practical needs being met, but the new development in the heart of this victorian conservation area was also designed with community needs uppermost in mind.
"The new business units provided by this development will make a worthy addition to the regeneration and development of the local economy and being based in the commercial heart of the town, will no doubt prove an attractive proposition to those wishing to expand or invest in the area.
"The Executive is committed to turning around the decline in our rural economies with investment in rural areas such as Argyll and Bute, channelled through local authorities, agencies and communities. Rural investment by Scottish Homes will increase again this year from £45 million to almost £50 million, and demonstrates our continued commitment to increasing the number of quality affordable homes throughout Scotland.
"It complements the Executive's commitment to laying the foundations for economic regeneration, greater access to training and employment and a buoyant jobs market."
To reach Rothesay, the Minister travelled on CalMac's Wemyss Bay to Rothesay ferry service, and met Fleet Manager Captain Ian Beggs and the vessel's Master and crew.
News Release: SE2047/2001
31 Aug 2001