Argyll and Bute Council, working with the Friends of Hermitage Park, has been awarded more than £2m to restore Hermitage Park in Helensburgh.

The £2,087,200 grant will see a development of a whole park plan, including proposals for the A-listed monument and memorial gardens, community consultation and investigative works to deal with flooding and erosion.

The funding will pay for some 90% towards the cost of preparing a professional project plan for the regeneration of Hermitage Park, with the remaining 10% being raised by public donation and from the council itself.

The restoration project was launched in 2010 when local residents voiced their concern about the deterioration of Hermitage Park. As a result, the Friends of Hermitage Park Association set about tackling some of the park's problems through a programme of action days, with the council helping clear overgrown areas, open up the Millig Burn and clear flower beds.

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While this improved the park, more work needed carried out. In February 2013, the Association and local authority submitted a joint application to the HLF, but it was rejected.

A second application was submitted in August 2013, which has now been accepted.

Commenting on the announcement, Policy Lead for Amenity Services, Councillor Ellen Morton, said: "This approval to progress the project forward is great news for the people of Helensburgh and joins up with the excitement regeneration work already going on in the town, funded by Argyll and Bute Council's CHORD scheme."

Chris Packard, Chairman of the Friends of Hermitage Park, added: "We are delighted with the award. It starts another major improvement project for Helensburgh and when completed Hermitage Park will become, once again, a popular magnet for residents and visitors alike and a tremendous asset for the town. Whilst celebrating its unique heritage, the park will also meet the needs of twenty first century Helensburgh."

Colin McLean, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) in Scotland, commented: "The Heritage Lottery Fund is delighted to start the New Year with good news for Hermitage Park. The only urban park in Argyll and Bute, it contains some outstanding remnants of the area's history.

"But it's not just because of its heritage that we have given this project our initial support. Its transformation and the introduction of new events and activities will make a huge difference to the quality of life for the people of Helensburgh as well as bringing a new confidence to the town for the year ahead."

(JP)