Building Briefs – May 4th

• Judy Murray’s plan tennis centre granted further extension

The Scottish Government conditionally approved plans for a tennis centre and luxury housing between Dunblane and Bridge of Allan two years ago after Scottish Ministers called it in.

Scottish Ministers have since granted a succession of extensions to the original three month deadline given to the Park of Keir Partnership, which includes Judy Murray, and Stirling Council planners, who were tasked with ironing out the legal agreement on the conditions.

The latest extension - which appears to have been granted after the coronavirus lockdown was launched - gives the parties until the end of June to tie matters up.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Ministers indicated in August 2017 that they are minded to grant the application subject to conditions and the conclusion of a planning obligation.

“The conclusion of the obligation is a matter between Stirling Council and the developer and negotiations between the parties are ongoing.

“Under the current circumstances a further extension has been granted until the end of June 2020.

“As this is still a live planning application, it would not be appropriate to comment further.”

• Regeneration Capital Grant Fund opens for applications in the Highlands

The Highland Council is now accepting applications for the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund for 2021-2022. 

The fund, which is delivered in partnership with the Scottish Government, supports locally developed regeneration projects for communities, helping with job creation and support, and in building sustainable communities. 

The opening of applications marks Round 8 of the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund. Since the grant fund opened in 2014, 12 projects from The Highland Council region have received funding. Among the projects that have previously secured grants are Midmills Creative Hub with a £1,200,000 grant, Armadale Redevelopment with a £311,652 grant, Eigg Community Hub redevelopment with a £1,200,000 grant, and Merkinch Welfare Hall received a grant of £200,127. 

Applications must be submitted by the Highland Council so organisations and projects interested in applying should fill in an expression of interest form. This will be used to develop an official application should the project satisfy the criteria of the fund. 

Among the criteria for projects are ones that focus on areas suffering from high levels of deprivation and disadvantage, that demonstrate clear community involvement, that will deliver large scale transformational change with strong regeneration outcomes, and projects and programmes that can encourage additional investment and address market failure. 

• Support available for Angus Council’s key suppliers

Angus Council and Angus Health and Social Care Partnership (AHSCP) have developed guidance setting out how they will support their key suppliers of commissioned and contracted services, including health and social care, transport and construction services during the coronavirus outbreak.

Angus Council deputy leader and finance convener, Angus MacMillan Douglas, said “It’s vital to support the wellbeing of Angus and its citizens during this appalling time. With the likelihood of our suppliers having reduced demand and cost increases, they are facing really challenging times. We’ve developed this guidance to highlight to our key suppliers of commissioned and contracted services the support that’s available, helping to provide some stability to the sector during the coronavirus emergency. 

“We hope this can go some way to helping them continue to pay their staff and suppliers with the aim of ensuring that when things return to normal, these services are in a position to fight back and continue to provide the services that Angus Council need. By providing this support to our key suppliers we believe that they will be able to recover strongly and provide local employment and services for our community.”

The guidance is available on Angus Council’s website www.angus.gov.uk.