This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
Funding for quarrying communities
03/12/2004
Skateboarders, sports enthusiasts and those with an interest in wildlife will be among those to benefit from Executive funding to address the impacts of quarrying.
Environment Minister Ross Finnie today allocated £1 million from the Community Environmental Renewal Scheme (CERS) to over 34 communities across Scotland.
Grants ranging from £4,000 to £90,000 will fund a variety of the projects. These include the development of a Gaelic Heritage Museum, a sports hall, numerous parks, pathway improvements in community woodland and nature reserves, community park improvements, and building restoration work.
Mr Finnie said:
"The Scottish Executive is committed to delivering environmental improvements in all areas of Scotland.
"This scheme will help to fund a wide range of community based projects and improve services and facilities available to communities affected by the noise, dust and loss of habitats caused by quarrying.
"Nearly 150 communities the length and breadth of Scotland have so far been able to enhance their environment and quality of life with the help of this scheme."
The scheme is being administered by Forward Scotland, on behalf of the Executive, using funds from the Aggregates Levy. Communities in Ballingry, Fife, Lochwinnoch, Renfrewshire, and Raasay and Loch Eil, in Highland, among others, will receive funding.
The total amount allocated in this round of funding is £1,106,110.
Half of the Aggregates Levy funding in Scotland is allocated to the Community Environmental Renewal Scheme. During 2004-07 some £4.1 million is available for grants, allowing for administration costs. Some of the grants announced are for project work which will take place over more than one year.
Grants totalling £2.8 million were distributed to 116 projects in 2002-03 and 2003-04.
Forward Scotland is a charitable company set up to promote sustainable development in Scotland through supporting practical projects and influencing policy, and has experience of operating grants schemes.
5. The full list of grants offered for Community Environmental Renewal Scheme 2004-07 - Round 2 is as follows:
Community Access for Wetland Walk,Lochof Strathbeg, Aberdeenshire £9,175
Replacement of a boardwalk at a nature reserve which is home to a number of protected species
Balgavies Loch Access Project, Angus £57,170
Construction of a walkway around the loch at the reserve and provision of interpretation boards
Operation Springboard, Murton, Forfar, Angus £61,508
Employment of a ranger and conversion of disused steading to provide office space and activity area
Seaton Cliffs Access Project, Angus £33,925
Improvement to pathway within wildlife reserve
The Isle ofLismoreGaelicHeritageMuseum, Argyll & Bute £90,707
Creation of a Gaelic Heritage Museum incorporating a number of community facilities
Beattock Heritage Park Environmental Framework, Dumfries & Galloway £50,000
Creation of a community heritage park
MerklandsNaturePark, Local Nature Reserve, Kirkintilloch,East Dunbartonshire£7,949
Environmental improvements to park and upgrading of paths
Restoration of the West Boundary Area at St Mary'sParishChurch, Haddington,East Lothian £38,128
Renovation of historical church yard fencing and related environmental improvements
Fisherrow Community Centre Redevelopment Project,East Lothian
£88,000
Provision of new windows as part of the refurbishment of a historic building to become a Community Centre
Balmullo Village Sports Hall,Fife £10,000
Contribution towards construction of an extension to Balmullo Community Hall to create a sport hall
Formonthills Access and Biodiversity Project,Fife £16,500
Improvement to a number of pathways and other environmental improvements within community woodland and provision of interpretation boards and leaflets
MartinCrescentCommunityGarden, Ballingry,Fife £20,000
Regeneration of derelict play area and provision of training for local long-term unemployed
AuchtertoolPlayPark,Fife £10,000
Improvement of play park facilities and provision of lighting to enable longer use
Farr Playground Improvement Project, Highland £24,188
Provision of play equipment and construction of a safety fence
LochEil Community Waterfront Facility, Highland £60,000
Construction of a jetty and provision of floating pontoons to create safe area for teaching boating skills and launching boats
Rovie Woods Paths, Rogart, Highland £20,000
Construction of a new pathway and upgrade of existing pathways in Rovie Woods
Boat of Garten Enhancement Project, Highland £14,000
Historic building restoration at the Boat of Garten steam railway
DulnainBridgePlaypark, Highland £30,000
Provision of play equipment, a sports area and seating within a community park
TheLoch LinnheArtificial Reef, Highland £50,000
Creation of 12 artificial reefs off the island of Lismore to enhance habitat restoration
Muileann Arais and Abhainne a' Community Heritage Project, Highland £50,000
Creation of a pathway around historic sites of Raasay
Morvern Community Development Company, Highland £37,225
Development of projects to improve the environment and social and leisure amenities of the local community.
Harmeny Outdoors, Balerno,Midlothian £45,000
Environmental improvements to a 16-acre site to provide a range of activities for children with special needs
BurghleePark, Loanhead,Midlothian £20,919
Development of paths into an area of diverse habitats to allow community access
BellshillCommunityGardens,North Lanarkshire £17,487
Development of school grounds to provide an environmental garden and play area
Auchterarder Recreational Facilities, Perth & Kinross £10,000
Creation of facility for skateboarding, inline skating and BMXing
Coupar Angus Recreational Facilities, Perth & Kinross £10,000
Creation of a facility for skateboarding and BMXing
MillenniumPark,Perth, Perth & Kinross £50,000
Transformation of grazing land into a community park
Habitat Development at Lochwinnoch Nature Reserve, Renfrewshire
£4,000
Development of two ponds and habitats at nature reserve visitor centre to encourage biodiversity and provide for environmental education
Access Network Initiative, Lochwinnoch, Renfrewshire £50,000
Creation of a footpath to link a cycle path with a country park visitor centre and improving access to a Site of Special Scientific Interest and RSPB reserve
Creating "The Hub", Lamancha, Scottish Borders £20,000
Conversion of a disused building into a community centre with a garden and play area
Morgan Glen Local Nature Reserve, Larkhall,South Lanarkshire £30,179
Upgrade of footpath, rubbish clearance and provision of anti-fly-tipping measures
Dundonald Community Footpath Network,Stirling £33,550
Creation of paths network and disabled access improvements
BreichVillageCommunityYouthVillage,West Lothian £17,500
FauldhouseVillageImprovements,West Lothian £19,000
Clearing Japanese knotweed from a burn embankment and replacing with native species