Argyll and Bute Council is celebrating the UK Government’s announcement that 12 projects in the region will receive a share of more than £20 million from its Community Regeneration Partnership Fund (CRPF) - boosting opportunities and driving positive change across communities.
The CRPF aims to build upon previous work by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) under the banner of Levelling Up Funding. Today’s news will deliver a package of support to the council to improve outcomes in Argyll and Bute that align with the Government’s core missions and priorities.
The agreed package of projects and activities to benefit from £20,250,000 of funding in Argyll and Bute are:
| Project | CRPF contribution |
| Islay Housing Fund: Bowmore Masterplan Site Infrastructure Investment and Bowmore council worker accommodation | £2,000,000 |
| Housing Acquisition and Resale | £1,900,000 |
| Modular Home Provider scoping (Oban) | £100,000 |
| Tobermory Worker Accommodation | £1,000,000 |
| European Marine Science Site Phase 2 - The further development of Camas House, the second business office/laboratory development on the site specifically developed to support business growth in the marine economy. | £1,600,000 |
| Oban Airport Aviation Business Park - construction of two key buildings as part of phase two of the Business Park development. | £7,400,000 |
| Teaching space at the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) | £600,000 |
| Bowmore Hall | £320,000 |
| Dunoon Public Realm | £1,080,000 |
| Former Royal Hotel Rothesay - restoration of the town’s valuable heritage building and new accessible homes including housing for key workers, tourist accommodation and commercial space. | £4,000,000 |
| Mull and Iona Community Trust Helicopter Operations | £20,000 |
| Programme Officer Support | £230,000 |
The Leader of Argyll and Bute Council, Jim Lynch, said: “This investment will provide a further welcome boost to the Argyll and Bute economy. The projects selected will not only improve the area’s infrastructure, but they will also help to create employment opportunities and strengthen community outcomes. This is an exciting time for Argyll and Bute, and I very much look forward to seeing these projects progress.”
George Hanson, Director of George Hanson (Building Contractors) Ltd, owns the Royal Hotel in Rothesay - one of the projects to benefit from the CRPF – and has provided match-funding for the project.
Welcoming the news George said: “After well over 60 meetings and years of determination, we are thrilled to have secured this funding. We are grateful for the support and commitment shown by those who have worked with us. The Royal Hotel has a special place in my heart and in Rothesay’s history. Bringing it back to life will preserve an important piece of the town’s heritage, create investment in the area and contribute to the wider regeneration that is already underway.”
