Building Briefs - March 17th

• Communities use capital investment funding to prepare for safe return of visitors

Cafes, heritage centres, visitor attractions, and community accommodation operators are amongst those upgrading facilities, and introducing measures to safely welcome tourists back to their communities, with all the subsequent economic benefits this will bring.

The HIE Community-Led Tourism Infrastructure Fund is supporting capital projects including community building upgrades, adaptations for kitchens and take-away points, outdoor seating, and public walkways.

The investments have also supported communities to provide infrastructure addressing local environmental challenges. They are protecting natural capital with campervan waste disposal, enhancing safe toilet provision, improving car and campervan parking, provision of EV charging points and introducing E-bikes as a more sustainable way for visitors to explore destinations. 

There are active projects in every local authority area from Shetland to Argyll.

One of the projects is the Loch Ness Hub, a new community benefit company revitalising the former tourist information centre in Drumnadrochit. The hub has an ambitious business plan to deliver wide ranging tourism services, including a shuttlebus and baggage service, and green initiatives for both local residents and visitors to the area.

Shetland Amenity Trust (SAT) is making use of the Fund to add new outdoor seating and increased accessibility ready for the return of their visitors.

• Firth of Forth luxury homes plan

Plans to build eight luxury homes overlooking the Firth of Forth have been submitted to Fife Council by developers.

The Seafield Consortium Limited wants to develop land just yards from the shore below Long Craig Walk in Kirkcaldy.

The single-storey homes will comprise of four or five bedrooms and will offer extensive views of the estuary.

Developers have said that the project would bring waste ground into good use, saying the site is blighted by illegal dumping and other “unsocial” activities.

A statement from Davidson Baxter Partnership, architects acting on behalf of the developers, said the land should not have been left empty in the previous development.

He said: “Given the site is now run down and unkept there is an opportunity to improve the area which has become an eyesore over the past few years. The setting of the existing houses will be vastly improved as a result of development, and our clients take the view the proposals will enhance the locality and the site.”

• Dandara donates £5,000 for Dalkeith primary school upgrade

King’s Park Primary School in Dalkeith has received a £5,000 donation from housebuilder Dandara, which is building new homes at nearby Eskbank Gardens on Viscount Drive.

The Midlothian primary school will use Dandara’s charitable donation to upgrade its outdoor education facilities and build sheltered playground areas for pupils. This means that pupils will be able to enjoy improved outdoor learning opportunities as part of the national curriculum.

Additionally, the school is planning to improve digital access to technology for its learners and enable teachers to use digital technology to enhance learning, teaching and assessment skills by providing laptops to support digital literacy.

Iain Innes, managing director for Dandara East Scotland, said: “We are committed to supporting initiatives that are at the heart of the local community where we are building new homes. We understand the value for children to enhance their learning outdoors, and so we are pleased to offer a donation to help improve these facilities at King’s Park Primary School. We hope the pupils will enjoy their new playground.”

• Scottish Government announces targeted financial support for cities and regions

Cities and regions can apply for additional funding from the Scottish Government to help them recover from the coronavirus pandemic.

Speaking ahead of the first meeting of the City Centre Recovery taskforce on Thursday, economy secretary Fiona Hyslop announced two new funds totalling £4 million.

Each city local authority has been invited to submit proposals focused on recovery planning to the £2m City Centres Recovery Fund.

Proposals received so far include plans for more city centre-based apprenticeships and training in Edinburgh; property repair, improvement and conversion in Perth City Centre; repurposing of Dundee City Centre properties through collaboration with Creative Industries sector and support for businesses in Glasgow applying for outdoor trading areas as restrictions ease.

Meanwhile, a £2m Regional Recovery Fund is calling for proposals focused on maximising local job creation, as well as accelerating delivery of City Region and Growth Deal investment and developing regional recovery plans.

• Inner Moray Firth Local Development Plan consultation review launches

The Highland Council has started its review of the Inner Moray Firth Local Development Plan.

The council has said the review will provide an opportunity for locals to reflect and discuss their relationships with the places where people live. It added that moving forward its ambition is to create sustainable, good quality, well designed and connected communities and neighbourhoods, whilst protecting our greenspaces.

Well-designed places with integrated useable greenspaces can encourage good physical and mental health, help to reduce health inequalities and support economic development.

The fastest and easiest way to read and comment on the Main Issues Report is online.

All comments on the Main Issues Report need to be received by the council no later than 5pm on Thursday 1 April 2021.