Funding of almost £700,000 has been agreed for a range of projects across Sutherland to support economic regeneration and sustainable development across the area.

Communities were invited to apply for Community Regeneration Funding, an umbrella term for accessible funding streams which comprise of the Highland Coastal Communities Fund and the Place Based Investment Programme.

Area committees are awarded devolved allocations according to approved formulae and decision making on which projects should receive funding sits with elected Members.

All of the projects which submitted a bid for funding were approved.

Sutherland Area Chair, Cllr Richard Gale said: "The projects that were approved today were all worthy of recognition. We are very fortunate to have so many organisations, a lot of whom are voluntary, who are working in their communities to bring about positive changes and improvements for everyone. All members of the committee were impressed with the standard of applications that were presented.

"Thanks must also go to The Highland Council staff who have done a lot of hard work and due diligence to bring these projects forward."

Approved bids:

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• Community Care Assynt Ltd has been awarded funding for three projects - £4,866.00 towards arts & crafts wellbeing sessions, £16,500.00 towards the continuation of core staffing of the organisation, and £4,856.55 towards extending the opening hours to provide a warm place for community members.

• The Highland Council has been awarded £246,678.00 towards Achmelvich Beach car park and toilets. The car park is to be expanded and there will be new toilet/shower facilities, interpretation boards, and bins.

• Lochinver Primary Parent Council has been awarded £54,000.00 towards their outdoor play equipment project to install wooden play equipment at the primary school.

• Helmsdale & District Development Fund has been awarded £70,000.00 towards a Helmsdale Play Space project for the replacement of the local play park.

• The Dornoch Area Community Interest Company has been awarded funding for two projects - £63,986.00 towards the provision of a new Multi Use Games Area (MUGA), and £4,800.00 towards a community transport project.

• Culrain & District Hall Committee has been awarded £45,120.61 towards the hall extension, refurbishment, and disability facilities.

• Melness Crofters Estate has been awarded £18,900.00 towards developing affordable housing in Melness.

• Farr North Community Development Trust has been awarded £36,273.13 towards establishing a community transport service for Farr.

• Dornoch Firth Group has been awarded £8,778.00 towards a Cares Counselling project which will provide counselling services for adults aged 16 and above in Sutherland.

• Assynt Foundation has been awarded £37,345.42 towards the upgrading and resurfacing of 1.8km access road between Lochinver and Glencanisp/Assynt Foundation Lodge & estate, and signage.

• Brora Development Trust has been awarded funding for two projects - £13,467.00 towards the creation of a visitor information point at the Otter's Couch, and £8,800.00 towards the erection of 3 tourist fingerpost signage in the town.

• Kyle of Sutherland Hub Ltd has been awarded £43,200.00 towards design and feasibility study to build an extension to The Hub for additional space.

• Go Golspie has been awarded £21,042.00 towards the Fountain Road Hall Improvement Project which will include a series of upgrades and small improvement works.