Scottish Government to announce how Blairgowrie regeneration fund will spent
Jan 26 2012
by Andrew Harris, Blairgowrie Adv
BLAIRGOWRIES regeneration fund saga will come to an end today (Wednesday) with the Scottish Government due to announce which projects will receive cash left over from the River Ericht scheme debacle, writes Andrew Harris.
Scottish infrastructure minister Alex Neil is in the Fair City to meet with Perth and Kinross Council (PKC) leader Ian Miller to finalise how the estimated £860,000 from a £1.5 million Town Centre Regeneration Fund originally issued to Blairgowrie and Rattray Regeneration Company (BARRC) will be spent.
In a release, a Scottish Government spokesman said: The minister has been invited to announce jointly with PKC the projects in Blairgowrie and Rattray that will benefit from the funds recovered from the unsuccessful TCRF River Ericht project.
At the time of going to press, councillors from Blairgowrie and the Glens - including Bob Ellis and Caroline Shiers - were in meetings with PKC officials attempting to outline exactly what projects will be given the green light.
The local authority remained tight-lipped on the details of the plans but the Blairie has learned the Wellmeadow and the riverside area in Blairgowrie are being earmarked for refurbishment.
Vice chairman of Blairgowrie and Rattray Community Council, Dick Robertson, said his group were waiting patiently for details to emerge.
Asked if he was excited about the developments, Mr Robertson replied: It depends where they are putting the money. Unfortunately we just dont know where the money is going yet at this stage but we will be issuing a press release in due course.
BARRC chairman Ian Gordon, who said he was delighted cash left over would remain in Blairgowrie and Rattray, added: I am also delighted that members of BARRC were able to obtain the money for the benefit of the town in the first place through the hard work of volunteers.
Councillor Caroline Shiers, who has been involved in the saga for over four years, said: I welcome the news that money is being kept in Blairgowrie and Rattray.
