Transforming Argyll and Bute's economy

Cllr Alastair Redman

Transforming Argyll and Bute’s economy continues to be a priority for Argyll and Bute Council to help create vibrant places and communities and attract more people to live and work in the area.

A report to the Environment, Development and Infrastructure (ED&I) Committee highlighted the role the Transformation Project and Regeneration Team are playing to secure external funding and help deliver large scale regeneration projects across the area.

The Transformation Project and Regeneration Team are delivering a number of large scale projects. They include:

  • £1 million of council capital investment delivered through Conservation Area Regeneration Schemes (CARS) in Dunoon, Lochgilphead and Campbeltown (now complete) and a CARS and Townscape Heritage project in Rothesay which is supported by Historic Environment Scotland and Heritage Lottery funding. The team is waiting to hear if their bid for a Helensburgh CARS has been successful.
  • A total of £7.506 million has been secured from Scottish Government Regeneration Capital Grant fund (RCGF) over the past 6 years to support 12 projects across the area. These include the recently announced Port Ellen Community Hub on Islay (£746,223), Scalasaig Business Units on Colonsay (£335,000) and Kilmory Business Park in Lochgilphead (£650,000).
  • The council has supported work on the Rockfield Centre in Oban which has just completed construction and continues to support Kilmartin Museum, the Mid Argyll Community Pool and Ulva Heritage Project as they move to construction this year.

Councillor Alastair Redman, Policy Lead for Business, Regeneration and Commercial Development:

“As well as delivering their own regeneration projects the council is providing funding support to a number of community organisations to deliver complex and challenging projects over a long period of time.  It is encouraging to see significant investment taking place across Argyll and Bute with more communities and businesses set to benefit with targeted regeneration.

We are committed to delivering projects that will help attract further investment and help grow the local economy. We have already seen the benefits of the Campbeltown CARS Scheme with Campbeltown having been awarded Scotland’s most improved place in the 2020 SURF Awards. We look forward to seeing further success across the area.”