No fewer than 26 East Ayrshire regeneration projects have been approved to claim a share of more than £1 million.
The Place Based Investment Programme is a five year Scottish Government Investment programme, running from 2021/22 to 2025/26 and East Ayrshire Council cabinet recently approved the latest round of investment to the tune of £1,055,631.
The project aims to support town centre revitalisation and community led regeneration by ensuring that all place based investments are shaped by the needs and aspirations of local communities. It also seeks to tackle inequality and disadvantage and accelerate local ambitions for net zero, wellbeing, community involvement and ownership.
Four projects previously approved for funding have now been competed with others undergoing significant progress.
Key highlights include The Corner in Darvel where investment has enabled Darvel Area Regeneration Team to complete the transformation of a town centre brownfield site into a garden, event space and market place for the community and local businesses; Glencairn Bowling Club in Kilmaurs where investment has improved facilities for people with disabilities within the clubhouse, enabling the club to improve its offer to local groups and schools; and shop front improvements, delivered in partnership with Celebrate Kilmarnock and other community organisations across East Ayrshire, to provide small businesses with funds to enhance their facilities using local traders to carry out the work.
With a confirmed funding allocation for East Ayrshire of £1,136,000, a total of 55 applications were received – with a total funding request of £4.9m – resulting in an over-subscription to the programme of over £3.7m.
Of the 26 projects approved, seven will receive full funding (£330,361 in total) and 19 will receive partial funding, totalling £725,000. Those receiving full funding include: toilet and shower block at Loch Doon Camping and Caravan Park; the Hub at the Cross in Stewarton; Shortlees Health and Wellbeing Centre; community support and mental health and wellbeing project, Stewarton; public realm works and lighting in Mauchline; the Gatehead bridge project and the Lugar Parish Church and Heritage and Information Centre.
Councillor Douglas Reid, leader of East Ayrshire Council, said: “We were blown away by the ideas, commitment and creativity which were so clearly evident in these applications – all pointing to the fact that there is a real desire in our communities to take the lead and have a more active role in shaping the future of their localities.
“This year’s process was rigorous, robust and transparent and using national guidance, balanced with local priorities we have awarded funding to a range of projects which will contribute to local regeneration; increase physical activity and enhance opportunities for play; support recovery from drug and alcohol problems and provide spaces for social connection.
“Equity has played a key role in determining these awards – 19 of these projects are receiving investment for the first time and in terms of geographical spread, I’m delighted that 40% of the projects agreed today are located in some of our most deprived communities.
“Regrettably, it was not possible to award funding to all of the applications received this year and I know there will be disappointment as these investments are announced today, but we have gone the extra mile and additional support will be available to those applicants to help them take their next steps on their place- making journey."
Every East Ayrshire project receiving funding
- Loch Doon Caravan and Camping Park – £100,000
- Stewarton Initiatives (The Hub at the Cross) – £62,381
- Kilmarnock Amateur Weightlifting Club – £55,000
- John Knox Church of Scotland Stewarton – £37,750
- Mauchline CARS (in collaboration with Mauchline Community Council – £35,500
- The Gatehead Bridge Project – £25,000
- Lugar Parish Church Heritage and Information Centre – £15,000
- Darvel Community Trust – £85,000
- Take A Bow Development Trust – £139,000
- Cumnock Action Plan – £20,000
- CentreStage Communities Ltd – £50,000
- DART (Darvel Area Regeneration Team) – £50,000
- East Ayrshire Council (Shop Front Improvement Scheme) – £60,000
- Kilmarnock YMCA – £36,000
- Congregational Board – £20,000
- Sorn Village Hall Management Committee – £40,000
- Kilmarnock Town Centre Partnership t/a Celebrate Kilmarnock – £60,000
- Cumnock and District Men's Shed – £40,000
- NewRiver REIT UK Ltd – £31,000
Dalrymple, Skeldon & Hollybush Project – £20,000
Kilmaurs Tennis Club – £22,000
Kilmaurs Glencairn Bowling Club – £10,000
Crossroads Community Hub – £13,000
East Ayrshire Recovery Hub – £10,000
Recovery Enterprises – £10,000
Kilmarnock Station Railway Heritage Trust – £9,000
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