Welcome to the Islands of Barra & Vatersay
Welcome to the Islands of Barra & Vatersay
Scottish Rural Development Programme Success for Western Isles Bids
18 January, 2010 - 10:52 — admin
Scottish Rural Development Programme Success for Western Isles Bids
£2 million in Rural Priorities funding for 29 projects in the Western Isles, from the SRDP (Scottish Rural Development Programme) has been announced. Among the projects in the Western Isles to benefit include the Northton Common Grazings Committee who will use a grant of £102,059 over the next five years to continue to manage the habitats in the Northton Bay Site of Special Scientific Interest. Crofter and former restaurateur, Richard Leparoux, intends to create a four star guest house with restaurant in Uig using a grant of £165,600 which will incorporate on-site renewable energy generation and will create three full time jobs for the area.
A much needed campsite, bunkhouse and campervan park will be established by Mr Morrison on his North Uist croft, aiming to serve the expanding Outer Hebrides tourism market. The number of visitors is increasing each year with a noticeable increase of campervans and caravans requiring facilities. The new development will also interest the many walkers, cyclists and families that might favour the more basic, lower priced, accommodation that this project will supply. Mr Morrison will receive a £58,621.50 grant. A farmer working a tidal island off North Uist plans to improve the management of its SSSI using a £171,400 grant over the next 5 years. The activity will increase the abundance of flowering plants, offering habitats to nesting birds (including corncrake) and maintaining populations of the Great Yellow Bumble Bee and the Solitary Mining Bee.
MSP, Dr Allan commented: "These are significant investments by the Rural Priorities scheme. All those in the Western Isles who have benefited from this additional funding deserve congratulations for the success of their applications.
SRDP funding is open to crofters, to townships to community groups and to rural businesses.
For more information check out http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/farmingrural/SRDP and