“We remain committed to securing long term economic success for Argyll and Bute and delivering significant benefits for our communities.” – Councillor Robin Currie, Leader of Argyll and Bute Council
Argyll and Bute Council today expressed disappointment at missing out on a £70 million UK Government Levelling Up Fund and reaffirmed its commitment to building prosperity across the area.
The UK Government today announced that Argyll and Bute has not been successful in receiving funding for two major regeneration and transport projects with an economic value of over £70 million for the area. The council’s ambitious plans looked to secure new community facilities and grow the local economy by regenerating important assets.
The bids included:
- Connecting Argyll and Bute, bringing together the whisky islands
Investment in the road network on Islay and Jura, and the replacement of the Jura Ferry with a larger hybrid or electric ferry, the UK’s first unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) Hub at Oban Airport and a Lorn Economic Growth Zone featuring a hydrogen fuel facility and road infrastructure at Dunbeg.
- Argyll and Bute Western Seaboard Marine Gateways (Rothesay and Dunoon)
Restoring and finding a new purpose for the former Royal Hotel that dominates the principal gateway to the island of Rothesay, along with public realm works, restoring historical features in the town centre, and net zero interventions including EV chargers.
In Dunoon, restoration of the A-listed Dunoon Pier including a potential new berthing facility and improvements to the town centre/waterfront public realm
Councillor Robin Currie, Leader of Argyll and Bute Council:
“Competition for the Levelling Up Fund across the UK was extremely tough for this latest round. We are extremely disappointed and our communities will be disappointed that Argyll and Bute has not received funding on this occasion. Our ambitious plans would bring significant benefits to our communities, and to the overall health and wellbeing of our economy.
Our priority remains to build prosperity across Argyll and Bute as we continue to invest in largescale regeneration projects to help deliver economic success.
We await details of further funding opportunities to consider resubmitting our bids and continue to explore alternative funding streams. There are good things happening across Argyll and Bute and our ambition remains the same, to create the best opportunities for our communities.”