Conservation work is due to begin in Strathaven following the announcement of the Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS) award by Historic Environment Scotland.

Approximately £625,000 in funding is to be invested over the next five years, however, it is understood the total amount of funding will total up to £1.5 million.

South Lanarkshire Council, working alongside local community representatives, will act as project managers for the initiative with a further round of surveys of shop fronts being undertaken in preparation for consultation with shop occupiers/owners.

Nigel Thomson, Chair of the Strathaven CARS partnership, said: "I invite owners and tenants in the area to join with us in shaping the future of the town with the Conservation Area Renewal Scheme – opportunities of this sort are rarely available so please attend the information points or meetings during the next two weeks."

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The consultation process continues via:

• information at 5 Common Green from Monday, 15 August to Friday 19 August

• meeting at The Epicentre, Townhead Street, at 6pm on Monday 22 August

• meeting at The Town Mill, Stonehouse Rd, at 10am on Wednesday 24 August

Councillor Chris Thompson, the chair of the council's Enterprise Services Committee, said: "I am delighted that we have secured this funding which will improve many of the buildings and public realms within the Strathaven Conservation Area.

"The training and skills in classical repair application will also, I am sure, be very useful to those people who are identified to take part in that programme."

The overall project is to include:

Works on priority buildings – to involve direct discussions with owners

Shop front renewals/upgrades in the designated area – to involve an application process and assessment of priorities

Small grants scheme in the designated area – to assist with specific repairs

Training and skills for relevant trades in classical repair work

Education and awareness for owners and tenants regarding Conservation Area Management Plan applications

Public realm works

Jennifer Storrie, the project manager for Historic Environment Scotland, added: "When awarding CARS funding, our priority is to support projects focussing on the wider contribution the historic environment brings to communities.

"We are delighted to be providing £625,000 of funding for the area, enabling them to deliver this project which has strong support from the local community who wish to see the town's heritage safeguarded for the future."

(MH/CD)