East Dunbartonshire Council has approved the development of an innovative new community-run facility, the Twechar Outdoor Pursuits Centre.

The new Centre will "breathe new life" into a vacant site beside the Forth and Clyde Canal – creating a base for canoeing, kayaking, cycling, social activities and more.

It will also provide a hub for new educational, training and voluntary opportunities – helping to promote regeneration and address disadvantage in the area.

East Dunbartonshire Council has secured significant external support – including the Scottish Government's Regeneration Capital Grant Fund, sportscotland and others.

Construction is due to start in early summer 2024, with completion around spring 2025. The facility will then be leased to a third-party community operator.

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The project was granted planning approval on Thursday 28 March and is part of the Council's Capital programme for 2024/2025.

Councillor Gordan Low, Leader of the Council, said: "I'm pleased we have been able to move forward with Twechar Outdoor Pursuits Centre and look forward to us delivering a first-class facility for residents of the village and East Dunbartonshire.

"Not only will it bring a long-vacant site at the canal back into use, it will provide opportunities for people of all ages and abilities – supporting the aims of the Twechar Place Plan.

"Community involvement has helped to secure significant external funding and will remain at the heart of the project as it comes to fruition."

The development site is owned by the Council and sits adjacent to the Forth and Clyde Canal, just off Main Street – at the northern entrance to Twechar. The project is expected to cost just over £5.6 million – more than half of which will be external funding.

The main contractor is Morgan Sindall, who will provide a range of social value contributions, and the project will be delivered as part of the Scape – Major Works – UK Framework.