Fraserburgh Regeneration Scheme Funding Award Welcomed by Broch SNP Councillors

Local SNP councillors for Fraserburgh Brian Topping and Charles Buchan have hailed a funding award from the Heritage Lottery Fund for Fraserburgh as a tremendous boost to the town.

Aberdeenshire Council has been successful in a first-round funding bid from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for a scheme to regenerate Fraserburgh’s town centre.

The Fraserburgh Town Centre Heritage Regeneration Scheme has been awarded a first-round pass by the Heritage Lottery Fund (Townscape Heritage) and a grant of up to £58,000 is now available to further develop the proposals.

A second-round development bid for Townscape Funding will now be progressed during 2015-16 which, if successful, could access £1.8 million worth of funding for the completion of the scheme.

If approved, the funding would be used to support the regeneration of the built heritage of the town with examples of priority projects including historic properties in Saltoun Square, such as the Townhouse and former Police Station.

This category B-listed nineteenth-century building, with its Corinthian rotunda above the statue of Lord Saltoun, is one of the town’s most recognisable structures.

Aberdeenshire Council’s Policy and Resources Committee has already committed matched funding of £1 million to support the scheme.

An application has also been made to Historic Scotland (Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme) for £1.2 million and an announcement on the outcome of the bid is expected in the next few months.

£1.2 million of property and homeowners’ contributions is also expected and would take the total value of the scheme to the region of £5 million.

Subject to approval of the second-round application, the joint Conservation Area Regeneration/Townscape Heritage scheme would run from March 2016 until March 2021.

Vice-chairman of the Banff and Buchan Area Committee, SNP councillor Brian Topping, said:

© Aberdeenshire Council

“This funding is a vote of confidence in the people and businesses of Fraserburgh and we are grateful for the positive response and help received from the town towards these proposals.

“Although over the centuries Fraserburgh’s fortunes have risen and fallen in relation to harbour trade, fishing and military use, this funding is a step towards ensuring the town remains a beacon of historical significance and that its outstanding buildings are protected.

“I would like to thank the council officers who have worked extremely hard in preparing this application and who will no doubt continue to do so as the second-phase of funding bids opens.”

Cllr Charles Buchan added:

“This is great news for the Broch. Restoration of the historic centre of Fraserburgh will give a big lift to the town, and this substantial amount of cash will be a great help.

“Since being elected, I have realised the potential Conservation Area status would have for the town, and its ability to attract national funding. Fraserburgh was the first planned town in Scotland, and its streetscape is something Brochers should be proud of.”

Colin McLean, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in Scotland, said:

“The regeneration of town centres is an obvious way in which we as an organisation can make an important contribution to improving the economy of an area and the standard of living for the people resident there.

“Investing lottery money to revitalise historic buildings at the heart of a community, not only makes a place more attractive to live, visit and invest in, it also provides jobs and training opportunities for local people.

“We are delighted to make this award to Fraserburgh as part of our on-going commitment to preserving Scotland’s heritage in a way which is relevant to the needs of today.”