Western Isles lands £2.3m funding

COMHAIRLE nan Eilean Siar has been awarded £2.3 million from the Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (RCGF) for an investment programme in Newton, Stornoway.

Projects totalling more than £9 million will be carried out through a partnership between the comhairle, Stornoway Port Authority and local private business interests.

Councillor Donald Crichton, chairman of the comhairle’s sustainable development committee, said: ‘The comhairle recognises that Stornoway’s Newton area, including Goat Island, has suffered dereliction through a lack of investment over a number of years. The RCGF’s £2.3 million will help deliver projects that create sustainable employment and improve the visual blight affecting the local community.

‘The comhairle’s economic development regeneration team is engaging with local businesses and Stornoway Port Authority to support the pre- and post-construction phases of these projects.’

In December 2017, the comhairle hosted an open day in Newton to consult on the planned developments.

Stornoway Port Authority will host community consultations in the coming months.

The Regeneration Capital Grant Fund is administered by the Scottish Government’s Social Justice and Regeneration Division, having been developed in partnership with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and member councils. An annual budget of £25 million – open only to applications from Scottish local authorities – provides financial support to eligible projects.