New eco-hub plan for area

Centre will be focus for start-ups

A £22m national environment centre based at Alloa West is the single largest project in the £90m Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal.

Clackmannanshire councillors heard details of the scheme at last week’s meeting of the full council.

The Scottish Government will provide the bulk of the funding for the project, £17m, and £5m will come from Stirling University whose research and policy centre will complement the environment centre.

Clackmannanshire Council executive director Garry Dallas told councillors: “This landmark development provides an opportunity to deliver transformational change in Clackmannanshire and, at the same time, benefit the wider region.

“It builds on the expertise and international reputation the University of Stirling has in environmental sciences.

“In partnership with the university and Forth Valley College, the partners will deliver state-of-theart skills and training as well as a business incubator for start-up and growing businesses as part of a wider development at Alloa West.

“Partners are also looking at the potential for Alloa West to become a focus for a series of energy initiatives, following council consideration at the August committee and subsequent officer discussions with both governments.

“This included the development of a bid for funding to support geothermal research and development and, whilst it is not explicitly referenced in the Head of Terms, the expectation is that Geothermal will be taken forward either as part of the deal or through other means.”

Overall, Clackmannanshirefocused projects in the deal account for £30.1m, Stirling £34m and region-wide projects account for the remaining £26.1m.

There was also agreement on a new board – ‘The Clackmannanshire Commission’ – a partnership of public, private and third sector organisations which will act as an advisory board to guide investment and project priorities.

Clackmannanshire Council leader Ellen Forson said following the meeting: “I am delighted that we have agreed today to establish the Clackmannanshire Commission, building on the momentum of last month’s announcement.

“The role of the board will be to develop projects for recommendation to council and the joint City Deal board in relation to the £8m Clackmannanshire Fund from the UK Government and the £28m funding stream the Scottish Government has made available. The commission will act as champions andambassadors for Clackmannanshire within the context of the wider City Deal.”

This is an opportunity to deliver transformational change