Park bosses shake up grants schemes

New fund unites three sources of cash

Communities, businesses and residents in the national park could benefit from a grant scheme launched this week.

The National Park Grant Scheme brings together three separate grants that the park authority previously offered.

It aims to support projects that offer multiple benefits for the park’s natural heritage, built heritage and communities.

Built heritage grants are aimed at repairing and restoring pre-1919 traditional buildings.

Natural heritage grants are for conserving, enhancing and promoting the area’s natural heritage and the understanding and enjoyment of its special qualities.

Communities grants support community-led projects and actions that help improve quality of life and place.

Capacity funding is also available to support community development trusts.

Stuart Mearns, the park’s head of planning and rural development, said: “This year’s grant scheme supports some of the key themes that underpin the work of the national park authority.

“We’ve supported a wide variety of projects over the years through the previous grants and by bringing these together into one scheme we are making the process much simpler and more streamlined.

“We look forward to supporting some great projects through this year’s scheme.”

The grant scheme is open for expressions of interest until September 8. Priority will be given to projects that support the national park partnership plan and priorities set out in local community action plans.

See www.lochlomond-trossachs. org/grantscheme for details.