Support pledged to advance £65m growth deal

A multi-millionpound funding package to boost Moray’s economy is poised to be agreed in the coming weeks.

UK and Scottish governments have previously indicated they were willing to invest a collective £65 million as part of the Moray Growth Deal.

Now they have said they are prepared to sign a formal commitment as soon as possible to allow more progress to be made on the project.

No confirmation of individual funding pledges has been announced yet but possible options include a “cultural quarter” in Elgin featuring a revamped town hall and Cooper Park, two new campuses for Moray College UHI and a new gas pipeline.

Moray Council’s depute chief executive Rhona Gunn, who is leading work on the deal, stressed progress had not been delayed during the pandemic.

Council leader Graham Leadbitter added: “These projects will be transformational, seeing tens of millions of pounds invested.”