The first allocations of Scottish Land Fund grants worth £172,000 in three different areas have been announced by the Big Lottery.
The Big Lottery Fund writes:
Three community land initiatives in the Scottish Borders, East Ayrshire and Aberdeenshire are today (12 JUNE) sharing in Scottish Land Fund grants worth £172,000.
Minister for Land Reform, Aileen McLeod said, ‘ ‘I am delighted to see the latest round of Scottish Land Fund awards which will help six communities in south Ayrshire, the Scottish Borders, Aberdeenshire and the Western Isles bring land into community ownership.
‘These communities have developed their own plans for their local land which ranges from estates to small key pieces of land that will help them to transform their communities and bring a host of benefits; economic, social and environmental. I am looking forward to watching them develop the land on which they live and work to realise their goals and ambitions, as the Scottish Government seeks to support community land ownership and bring more land into community ownership by 2020.’
Set within a small rural community of just 200 residents, the Tweedsmuir Community Company (TCC) receives £127,500 to purchase a 1.14 hectare piece of land adjoining the historic Crook Inn – a building previously brought into community ownership back in 2013. The land includes a semi-derelict coach-house, former Hotel owner’s house, and listed outbuildings, as well as part of the former railway line, which took workers to the Talla Reservoir during its construction. Thanks to today’s Scottish Land Fund award, TCC will now own and develop the site, which in turn enable it to develop the breadth of proposals for the Crook Inn Community Hub.
James Welch, TCC Director, said: ‘The TCC is delighted with this substantial award from the Scottish Land Fund as it will dramatically increase the scope to develop and sustain our rural and isolated community, by enhancing the long term viability of the Crook Inn Community Hub. It will provide opportunities for employment, learning and training, social and cultural life and in the support of local business. It also provides scope for innovative new developments at this historic site.’
The site of a former primary school in Crossroads, East Ayrshire will be brought into community ownership, thanks to a grant of £30,500. The Crossroads Community Hub Ltd will purchase the site from East Ayrshire Council and establish a new community hub encompassing a community-managed farm shop, cafe, craft gallery, multi-use community space and learning centre.
Information on Big Lottery grants available throughout the UK (with a ‘funding finder’ tool)
