The Scottish Government has announced that 15 transformational schemes are to benefit from significant funding as they look to develop vacant and derelict land and unlock investment opportunities.
The funding, coming from the low carbon Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme, will amount to £10 million and will be shared between the different schemes as they look to grow the economy, support low carbon developments and make Scotland greener and more prosperous.
Tom Arthur, Community Wealth Minister, said:
“Neglected sites are often found in more disadvantaged setting and can become no-go areas or hamper community development. By targeting long-standing vacant and derelict land we can ensure that investment reaches the areas that need it most.
“The Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme helps attract private investment to locations which have lain dormant for years. It also supports low carbon developments, helping Scotland reach net zero by 2045 and grow an economy that is greener, fairer and more prosperous.”
Some examples of how the 15 projects will be using the funding to develop include:
- The creation of a community learning campus where a Midlothian colliery once stood.
- The decontamination and redevelopment of land that was formerly used by the military to enable the construction of 93 affordable homes at Cromarty Firth.
- Fife will see vacant and derelict buildings reused as an employment and training hub for rural green jobs and apprenticeships.
- Community-led food production will be supported in Clackmannanshire.
- Transforming a site once central to the Clyde’s shipbuilding industry.
The former shipbuilding site on the Clyde will use a £2.4 million share of the funding to upgrade a walkway alongside the river and create a green space to help invite business investment as well as reversing biodiversity loss and habitat decline. The historic dockyard will also be used for the repair of heritage vessels, alongside being linked by footbridge to neighbouring visitor destinations such as the Glasgow Science Centre once the project has secure private sector funding.
Deputy Leader of Glasgow City Council, Cllr Richard Bell, said:
“The Govan Graving Docks is a unique site in Glasgow, offering both a glimpse of the city’s past and a view into the future where we realise the potential of this remarkable Clydeside location.
“The very welcome announcement of £2.4 million funding from the Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme will allow work to dramatically improve the appearance of the site, create new public green space to be co-designed by the local community, and improve access and connections to Glasgow Science Centre.
“The support announced today will hopefully act as a catalyst for future funding and the development of further stages in the regeneration of the Graving Docks.”
