Council backs Euro funding for Highland projects

Caithness is home to the two largest projects. Caithness Horizons plan to refurbish Thurso Town Hall and the neighbouring Carnegie Library at a total cost of £3,640,000 and are seeking Euro funding of £750,000.

The Wick District Heating Scheme is seeking £200,000 of Euro funding towards the installation of a biomass fuelled, combined heat and power scheme in the Pulteneytown area of Wick, at a total cost of £3,550,000.

A third major project is planned at Nairn, where a Euro grant of £500,000 is being sought to assist with the projected cost of £3,365,765 of a new Community Centre.

The Council is also supporting three communities in Highland, which are seeking Euro funding for village hall projects.

Raasay is seeking £198,000 of Euro funds towards the £614,000 cost of a village hall; Boat of Garten is seeking £278,836 towards the £798,000 cost of a new hall; and £122,000 is being sought for the £400,000 refurbishment of Carnegie Hall, Portmahomack.

Raasay Heritage Trust is also seeking Euro funding of £91,000 towards the £228,000 cost of converting the Old Mill Building at Inverarish into a community heritage centre.

The Council has also agreed to seek a contribution of £525,000 towards the £2.1 million cost of building 3.4 km of new carriageway between Melvich and Bettyhill in North Sutherland.