Argyll and Bute Council has given the go-ahead to a development plan that paves the way to a Heritage Regeneration Scheme for Tarbert.

The scheme will see historic buildings restored, traditional skills training and potential housing opportunities explored.

The council secured funding from Historic Environment Scotland’s Heritage and Place Programme (HPP) and National Lottery Grants for Heritage to develop the Regeneration Scheme for Tarbert and submit a delivery phase application for a five-year scheme.

The council has secured £40,000 from HPP and £40,000 from the National Lottery. Councillors today confirmed £60,000 of match funding from the council through Crown Estates funding.

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Councillor Alastair Redman, Policy Lead for Economic Growth and Communities, said: "We’re excited to hear more about how Tarbert will benefit from a dedicated Regeneration Scheme. By endorsing the match funding of an additional £60,000, we can now develop detailed plans of how to deliver regeneration over a five-year period.

"We have seen first-hand how other areas across Argyll and Bute have benefitted from similar regeneration schemes. By investing in the key projects, properties take on new leases of life providing business and accommodation opportunities that prompt further investment to the local economy. I look forward to plans progressing."

The HPP is the new name for Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS). Over twelve years, the council has successfully secured eight rounds of CARS funding, totalling £23 million of investment to six key town centres.

The next steps include recruiting a Project Officer to help identify priorities for Tarbert. This will include engaging with the community and forming a partnership group to help shape key actions including priority building surveys, an energy efficiency pilot and a skills audit to help identify community training opportunities.