Argyll and Bute Council has finalised the allocation of its £2,358,044 Crown Estate revenue for the 2025/26 financial year, targeting a diverse range of infrastructure and economic development projects.

Following a meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee, councillors approved the remaining £949,500 of the fund, which will be directed toward coastal communities to support sustainable growth and place-based regeneration.

A significant portion of the newly approved funding, totalling £260,000, has been ring-fenced for town centre support. This investment will provide grants for shopfront improvements and the rehabilitation of empty business properties across the region, prioritising owners who were unsuccessful in previous funding rounds. The move aligns with the ongoing "Love Local" campaign aimed at revitalising high streets.

The allocation also includes substantial funding for civil engineering and public realm enhancements. In Helensburgh, £100,000 is earmarked for path infrastructure and seating at the skating pond, while £135,000 will serve as match funding for the town's Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme. Further public realm works in Dunoon have been granted an additional £80,000 to supplement existing regeneration backing.

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Other key infrastructure and heritage projects receiving investment include:

• Albert Pier: £150,000 for car park resurfacing and enhanced coach parking facilities.

• STEM Development: £80,000 to support design work for the Scottish Association for Marine Science's new STEM Hub.

• Public Safety: £90,000 for the installation of digital CCTV cameras with advanced analytics in town centres.

• Heritage Restoration: £40,000 for stone masonry refurbishment at the Campbeltown war memorial.

This final tranche complements £800,000 in funding previously approved in August 2025 for high-priority works, including rock slope protection at Gallanach Road (£300,000), screen refurbishment at Inveraray Avenue (£120,000), and elevation repairs at Victoria Hall in Campbeltown (£50,000).

Councillor Jim Lynch, Policy Lead for Economic Development, Housing, Islands and Communities, highlighted the strategic value of the investment: "The purpose of Crown Estate funding is to support, develop and enhance our coastal communities. All the projects being supported with this latest round of funding will play a key role in upgrading and progressing a wide range of infrastructure across our communities. At the same time, the initiatives being progressed will help to further grow the local economy of Argyll and Bute by playing their part in improving our community spaces and encouraging more visitors to the region."

The funding is derived from 100% of the net revenue generated by Scottish Crown Estate marine assets, which is devolved to local authorities to ensure that the economic benefits of marine activities are reinvested directly into coastal infrastructure and community-led initiatives.