Community Development Fund has significant impact in Lochaber
Today (January 19th) sees the first anniversary of the current Highland LEADER programme operating in Lochaber and to date there has been a significant impact to local communities with £538,000 going to help 27 individual projects in the area.
LEADER is a European grants programme specifically designed to promote economic and community development in rural areas. The Highland Council, on behalf of the Highland Community Planning Partnership is the lead partner for the programme.
One of the key principles behind LEADER is to have decisions made on grant awards at as local a level as possible, to reflect the differing needs and priorities of communities throughout Highland. To this end, the Highlands have been split up into 11 “local area partnerships”, each of which has its own LEADER budget and a Local Action Group, responsible for considering applications and making awards.
Lochaber based projects receiving LEADER funding in the past year have included:
• £70,000 towards the re-generation of Fort William’s west end and underpass;
• £37,786 towards a dedicated countryside ranger post for the Isle of Rum;
• £45,247 for re-development work at the West Highland Museum in Fort William and the development of an educational programme;
• £33,578 for the development of new allotments in Fort William;
• £27,200 towards re-development of the village square in Kinlochleven:
• £23,000 to Ardnamurchan Lighthouse Trust for the installation of a wind turbine and development of a paths network to viewing points;
• £9,386 for interpretive information and visitor facilities at Ballachulish Slate Quarry;
• £4,244 for a feasibility study into woodfuel extraction on the Isle of Eigg;
• £3,645 to develop a community amenity area in Upper Achintore
Harry Whiteside, Chair of the Lochaber LEADER Group said: “We have been very impressed with the quality of applications coming forward so far. All of them have demonstrated strong support from local people and show real potential to make long term impacts in the communities concerned. I would urge people to look at the assistance that the LEADER programme can offer and we look forward to supporting more local development projects in 2010.”
In total £1,036,726.00 of funding is available for Lochaber orijects up until the end of 2011. Following this, there will be the opportunity for the area to bid for more funds.
Martin Culbertson, Highland Council’s LEADER Development Officer covering Lochaber said: “It has been a very busy and successful 12 months for Lochaber. The range of projects and enquiries coming forward has been very interesting and it is great to see so many successful applications. I would encourage any community group with a project idea to get in touch to discuss it further. Help and support is available with the application process and we are keen to maximise the benefits from this funding stream.”
Full information about the LEADER programme and details on how to apply for funding can be found at www.highlandleader.com. The minimum grant award is £1,000 and maximum grants are at the discretion of local LEADER groups.
List of Lochaber LEADER approvals:
• Fort William Mountain Festival
£2,600.00 for youth workshops as part of festival;
• Isle of Rum Kitchen Extension
£21,654.00 for extension to community hall;
• Isle of Rum Ranger
£37,786.00 for a dedicated countryside ranger post for the island;
• Minfota Project
£8,253.00 for development of interactive local information which can be displayed on mobile phones;
• Upper Achintore Re-generation
£3,645.00 for development of neglected area of ground;
• Ft William West End Re-generation Consultancy
£2,700.00 for feasibility study into options;
• Ardnamurchan Lighthouse Path Network
£5,000.00 for construction of new paths to previously hard to access viewpoints and also new picnic areas
• Fusion- Get Active
£31,591.00 for construction of multi-use games area and purchase of mobile sports facilities
• Knoydart K10 events
£10,000.00 for programme of events to attract visitors;
• West Highland Museum
£45,247.00 for re-development work, improved facilities and outreach staff/ schools programme;
• SLUG Allotments Project
£33,578.00 for construction of new allotments for Ft William at Cow Hill;
• Cameron Centre Feasibility Study
£9,524.00 for study into possible new cinema/ visitor centre;
• Art in Acharacle School
£10,072.00 for art workshops to produce artwork for new community facility;
• Abernethy Trust Hydro Scheme
£25,000.00 for construction of micro hydro scheme for outdoor education centre and surrounding community;
• Routes West
£70,000.00 for Fort William West End re-development, as part of wider Town Centre Re-generation fund;
• Nevis Centre Burner
£41,000.00 for wood fuel burner and associated savings/ development;
• Ballachulish Slate Heritage
£9,386.00 for interpretive information and picnic area for visitors to slate quarry;
• Glencoe Village Entrance Improvements
£6,260.00 for landscaping of neglected area of land and picnic area/ interpretive info for visitors;
• Action for Children Lochaber
£50,000.00 for supporting children in families with problems;
• Kinlochleven Village Square
£27,200.00 for village square re-development work;
• Ardnamurchan Lighthouse Turbine
£18,430.00 for installation of wind turbine to cut operating costs and develop centre;
• Fèis nan Garbh Chrìochan
£30,097.00 for audio visual equipment and seating for Gaelic theatre events;
• Kilchoan Community Centre Wind Turbine
£18,039.00 for installation of wind turbine;
• Isle of Eigg Wood fuel
£4,244.00 for feasibility study into commercial opportunities:
• Alasdair MacMhaighstir Alasdair
£7,300.00 for development of trail and production of book to highlight historical Gaelic poet;
• Shopmobility Lochaber
£4,689.00 for expansion of service to new areas;
• Nevis Radio
£5,220.00 for engineering/ feasibility study into transmitter network
TOTAL £538,515.00
ENDS