Campbeltown CHORD project up for regeneration award

[Kintyre Forum News]

Ahead of the THI annual update event on Friday 29th November, there has been further good news for the Campbeltown CHORD project with a nomination for best practice in community regeneration at the 2013 SURF awards, in the category of town centre regeneration.

Each year, SURF, Scotland’s Independent Regeneration Network, and the Scottish Government team up to deliver the national SURF Awards for Best Practice in Community Regeneration. This year the awards will be presented by Margaret Burgess MSP, Minister for Housing and Welfare on Wednesday 4th December at the Radisson Hotel in Glasgow.

Argyll and Bute Council recognised the need to invest in Campbeltown, and developed an appropriate regeneration strategy. This strategy indentified specific proposals to improve the town centre experience and to improve linkages between the town centre and the waterfront.

The council took a partnership approach to the Campbeltown project, engaging with the community at all stages.

For each element of the project the council formed steering groups containing council officers; community group members; local councilors; private sector business partners; project managers and other public organisations, as well as holding regular public consultations.

These informal consultation events gave members of the public an opportunity to view outline plans, discuss key aspects and to influence the final decisions. This level of community engagement is one of the reasons the project has been shortlisted.

The project had three main elements: the Kinloch Road regeneration, the Campbeltown Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) and the Campbeltown Loch Berthing Facility.

The works carried out have improved the character and appearance of the waterfront, town centre and main gateway to Campbeltown.

Local construction companies have been involved in all aspects of the work, either as the main contractor or as a named sub-contractor.

A number of new town centre businesses have opened including a beauty salon, a hair salon, an IT store, a window/blind supplier and several restaurants. In addition, the Royal Hotel has created over 35 jobs on the back of the refurbishment of the building through the THI.

A housing development, in conjunction with the Kinloch Road regeneration, has created 32 affordable new homes in the town centre. As well as these new homes, 20 tenements have benefitted from extensive repairs carried out through the THI, with the work being undertaken by over 40 local contractors.

There has also been the provision of a new 3rd generation all weather pitch on Kinloch Road.

Chair of the Campbeltown CHORD Board, Councillor Rory Colville, said, ‘’This nomination recognises the outstanding work of the Campbeltown CHORD project in transforming the town, particularly its joined up approach to town centre regeneration, involving the community at each and every stage of the process.’’

‘’The work carried out to date has substantially improved the town for those who live and work here, as well as visitors. That being said we still know there is lots to be done, more inward investment to attract and more employment opportunities to create’’