Community Regeneration Funding awarded to two Nairnshire groups

Members of the Nairnshire Committee, who met yesterday (Monday, 23 January), considered and assessed applications submitted to the area’s Community Regeneration Fund.  Members had funding totalling  £83,456 available to allocate.

The successful applicants were the Nairn Access Panel (who secured £28,666) and the Nairn Improvement Community Enterprise (who secured £54,790).

Community Regeneration Funding is an umbrella term for a number of funds that are available for communities/organisations to access in Highland.  It comprises the Highland Coastal Communities Fund and the Place Based Investment Programme, both of which are Scottish Government Funding streams to support economic regeneration and sustainable development in Highland.

Councillor Michael Green, Chair of the Nairnshire Area Committee, congratulated the successful applicants and said:  “We are delighted to be able support the Access Panel and Team Hamish – these are two projects which have great support from residents across the area and we all look forward to seeing these worthwhile projects in place at the Links.”

The Nairn Access Panel was awarded £28,666 for its project which will see the installation of a beach access platform and ramp.  This will include construction of a concrete platform on the Central Beach at Nairn, with a ramp leading onto the sand.  The facility will enable disabled people to fully integrate with people in this popular area and enjoy the benefits of the beach together with their family and friends, increasing the inclusion of disabled people in day-to-day life within Nairn.

The remainder of the funding (£54,790) was awarded to the Nairn Improvement Community Enterprise (NICE) for the second phase of the TeamHamish Nairn Links Regeneration.  This project will involve redevelopment of the area of the Links currently occupied by the existing putting green, crazy mini golf and adjacent banking and grassed areas.  Through a holistic approach, NICE aims to revitalise the existing area and utilise the natural environment to enhance how these areas are currently used, encouraging a more integrated and cohesive purpose for both individual contemplation and social interaction through the creation of a journey of connecting spaces and places.