Town Centre Fund projects agreed at Sutherland County Committee

16th December 2020

Members at a special meeting of Sutherland County Committee this week (14 December) agreed on projects to receive funding from the Town Centre Fund for investment in Brora, Golspie and Dornoch.

Earlier this month (4 November) the Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee announced that extra funding has been made available from The Scottish Government to boost town centres across the region. It was agreed that decisions on spend would be taken at area committee level of which Sutherland had been allocated a grant of £84,156 to invest.

At the beginning of the meeting, Members agreed to divide the grant three ways across Golspie, Dornoch and Brora. Each community was therefore allocated £28,052.

The projects agreed for investment are as follows:

Brora

Brora and District Action Group (BaDAG) have been awarded £18,000 to provide dedicated motorhome parking spaces within the existing lorry park, including electric hook ups. This work will complement the chemical waste facility project already underway and funded during Round 1 of the Town Centre Fund. The group were also awarded £10,000 for the provision of new/replacement town centre gateway (north and southbound) signage highlighting updated local facilities (especially those for motorhomes/caravanners) and natural attractions.

Golspie

Go Golspie have been awarded £20,000 towards a package of works to bring the former YMCA building back into use. The works include roof repairs to the rear of the property, toilet refurbishment and electrical works.

Go Golspie were also awarded £8,052 for the erection of several tourism signs on the A9 throughout Golspie to identify/highlight attractions for tourists including scenic walks, historic buildings etc.

It was also agreed that BaDAG and Go Golspie can work together on their signage projects.

Dornoch

Dornoch Area Community Interest Company were awarded £28,052 towards the first phase of ‘Project Curlew' which seeks to create 38 car spaces, 4 dedicated motorhome spaces, flexible 5 coach/ 8 motorhome spaces, 8 motorcycle spaces and 10 bicycle stances on part of the former Abattoir site. There will also be 3 disabled spaces, 3 parent & child parking slots and charging points for 4 vehicles and a charging point for e-bikes.

Chair of the Sutherland County Committee, Cllr Richard Gale said: "I am delighted that we were able to offer funding to projects which will greatly benefit our town centres in Sutherland.

"I would like to thank everyone who submitted a proposal. There were great proposals which were discussed; however, the approved projects were selected for their ability to deliver improvements to our communities within a short timeframe.

“I am excited to see the projects progress in Brora, Golspie and Dornoch as a result of this investment from our Town Centre Fund".