Inveraray regeneration project putting the town’s best foot forward
LOCALS and visitors will have noticed all the scaffolding around town the past few years, and while it doesn’t look very nice while it’s up, this important work is giving Inveraray a new lease on life.
The Inveraray Project Masterplan is part of a wide-ranging programme to regenerate and revitalise the historic planned town. Included in the programme is the renovation of five landmark buildings, and the development of 180 homes, community facilities, tourism and hotel provision, and business units.
The plan also makes provision for play parks, and for at least 45 of the new homes to be affordable housing. Land between two existing housing developments in the west of the town has been earmarked in the plan for the homes.
The project, which has been running since April 2013 and is due to finish in March 2018, provides, among other things, grant funding to property owners to assist with the repair of historical buildings.
Five priority buildings in Inveraray are being painstakingly restored to their former glory as part of the Inveraray Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS). These include The Town House, Chamberlain’s House, The Old Temperance Hotel, Relief Land and Arkland.
The CARS small grants scheme is aimed at local residents and businesses within the Inveraray Conservation Area to improve the appearance of properties and reduce the impact of commercial signs, revealing the original frontage and returning the streetscape to its historic appearance.
This funding will help owners perform needed repairs to roofing, chimneys, render, rainwater goods and windows and doors.
‘It is really pleasing to see the regeneration work in Inveraray, which started in 2013, reaching this visible stage,’ said Councillor Aileen Morton, the council’s policy lead for Sustainable Economic Growth.
‘The town is looking great and will help our ambition of attracting visitors to come to our historic town.’
The ambitious conservation of the distinctive and important buildings was made possible by the council’s contribution of £350,000 and the CARS funding (£970,000) awarded by Historic Environment Scotland (HES).
The total budget, which included contributions from the owners, Argyll Community Housing Association and private sector housing grant, is more than £2million.
By improving the visual appearance of Inveraray and reinforcing its wonderful townscape qualities, as well as its important historic character and unique setting, it is hoped that the project will act as a catalyst for general regeneration of the Royal Burgh.
In addition, the council team has facilitated skills and trainings events for local building trade businesses and college students, to help them secure work through the scheme.
‘This is testament to the hard work and dedication of the owners, the contractors John Brown (Strone) and Laing Traditional Masonry, and the council’s delivery team,’ said Councillor Morton.
‘We have worked closely with our partners and are grateful for their assistance in making the essential conservation of some of the most important listed buildings in the town a reality.’