Ambitious plan to rejuvenate Rothesay's historic town centre have taken another step forward with the appointment of a dedicated Project Officer.

Lorna Pearce will lead the efforts to ensure that the Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) project – part of Argyll and Bute Council’s ground-breaking CHORD programme – secures the necessary grant funding through the submission of a successful Stage Two bid to Heritage Lottery Fund in April/May 2010.

Should the Stage Two grant applications be approved, Lorna will also be responsible for initiating, developing, implementing and monitoring the various proposals which make up the Rothesay THI project.

Only once any Stage Two bid is successful will grant funding be available for those properties identified within the THI area.

Lorna is joining Argyll and Bute Council from Harrow Council where she is a Principal Conservation Officer

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Chair of the Rothesay CHORD project Board, Councillor Len Scoullar, said: "I am delighted to see this exciting project continuing to move forward.

"These plans represent a very significant investment in the future of Rothesay, and in enhancing the environment for both residents and visitors. It is very exciting to have a Project Officer of Lorna’' calibre at the helm to take us through these next vital stages.

"I am confident that she will continue to progress these plans so as to secure the best possible result for Rothesay and the surrounding area."

The Rothesay THI Project is one part of the Council’s CHORD programme, which aims to assist regeneration and economic development in five of the area’s waterfront towns – Campbeltown, Helensburgh, Oban, Rothesay and Dunoon.

In May, the Heritage Lottery Fund announced it had awarded Argyll and Bute Council a 'Stage One Pass' for the Rothesay plans.

This means that £1.5million in lottery funds has been earmarked for the scheme, provided that a fully developed Stage Two application is developed, submitted and approved within the next year.

Councillor Scoullar said: "It is obviously vital that we have the right person leading the development of this proposal, as grant funding will not be available until such time as a successful Stage Two bid is approved.

"This is an exciting time for everyone involved in the CHORD programme, and Ivery much look forward to working with Lorna in the coming months as we prepare our Stage Two submission."

(GK/BMcc)