Aberdeen City Council has awarded £40,000 for the next phase of development work for Greyhope Bay.

The plans include the development of a world class facility with marine science and conservation-related education opportunities for all ages and all levels.

The proposal, which is a charity, would also provide an iconic visitor and community facilities between the current Aberdeen Harbour and the south harbour extension at Nigg Bay.

Aberdeen City Council’s communities, housing and infrastructure committee unanimously agree today to award £20,000 each year for 2017-18 and 2018-19 to the Greyhope Bay Trust to support the next phase of development work.

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It also agreed the recommendation that officers will continue to explore additional sources of funding to support project development costs and future capital works for the project.

A report before committee said the development phase is now at a critical juncture, with funding being secured for specific elements of the project including feasibility work, preliminary site investigations, outline planning, application, design development and detailed cost planning.

The report said £120,000 has been secured through fundraising to date from Heritage Lottery, Creative Scotland, The Wellcome Trust, Science in Culture, Visit Aberdeenshire (in kind). Nexen Petroleum and the Big Partnership are also sponsors of the Greyhope Bay initiative.

The report said the charity does not have revenue funding to support the management of the project going forward and the delivery of the business case and funding strategy, which includes priorities such as audience development and community engagement, branding / marketing and online content and fundraising.

(CD)