Generous grant money granted to enhance the affordability of homes in Scotland
Scottish Land Fund Awards Millions for Community-Led Projects
The Scottish Land Fund, a government initiative delivered in partnership with the National Lottery Community Fund and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, has awarded over £2.7 million to eight projects across Scotland. These projects aim to improve accessibility, provide affordable housing, and develop community facilities.
One of the recipients is the Corstorphine Community Centre (CCC) in Edinburgh, which received £960,000 to purchase Westfield House. With this funding, CCC can now own the property, enabling internal improvements and the continued provision of services. The improvements at CCC may include enhancing accessibility.
In Argyll & Bute, the Tayvallich Initiative received £565,608 to buy land for building affordable rent housing and environmental initiatives. Martin Mellor, Chair of Tayvallich Initiative, stated that the funding will help move forward with plans to create housing for affordable rent and promote rural housing burdens. The chairperson of Tayvallich Initiatives is Susan Taylor.
The Bute Community Land Company plans to install a carpark on the Isle of Bute to improve accessibility. Meanwhile, the Eday Partnership will use funding for providing affordable housing on the island of Eday.
In the Highlands, the Great Bernera Community Development Trust plans to convert a vacant industrial building into a social enterprise hub. Kingsbarns Community Development Trust, on the other hand, plans to establish a community hub with rooms to let, a pub, café, and community shop.
The Evanton Community Trust is set to purchase land adjacent to the community-owned Victoria Diamond Jubilee Hall for expansion. The Papay Development Trust will acquire two houses on the island of Papa Westry for affordable rent.
The Scottish Land Fund has a decade-long history of helping communities acquire and develop assets. It reopened to applications in April 2016. These projects are just a testament to the positive impact the fund has on communities across Scotland.
