A greenspace project in Edinburgh has received over £38,000 funding from the Central Scotland Green Network (CSGN) Development Fund to deliver strategic environmental and access improvements in the area.
The CSGN is Europe’s largest greenspace initiative which seeks to transform Central Scotland into a place where the environment adds value to the economy and where people’s lives are enriched by its quality.
The Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust has been awarded £38,079 to deliver a programme of habitat improvements at priority locations along the city’s off-road cycle network. The project will be delivered using a combination of contractors and local volunteers.
Nine greenspace projects right across the central belt have received a share of almost £500,000 from this year’s Development Fund to enhance access to a high quality environment.
The nine new ventures will join 19 existing projects from a previous round of applications awarded funding in 2013 to 2015, taking the total fund value to £1,621,339.
Minister for the Environment and Climate Change, Paul Wheelhouse, said:-“The Central Scotland Green Network is the biggest greenspace project of its kind in Europe. The long-term plan is to transform the central belt into a more vibrant place for people to live and work in, with better access to greenspace, and all the health benefits that come from that, and improved economic potential for business.
“Today’s funding announcement will help kickstart work on a number of new projects which will make a real difference to the lives of people across the central belt. Added to the projects announced this time last year, they will represent an ambitious programme of work to deliver our vision for a greener, healthier, more vibrant Central Scotland.”
Keith Geddes, Chair of the CSGN Partnership Board, said:- “This significant extension to our Development Fund will ensure we continue to make a vital contribution to projects working towards improving the central belt.
“The successful recipients will help us to deliver the CSGN on the ground, to improve the landscape of the area and make a real and lasting benefit to people, communities, businesses and the environment across Central Scotland.”
As one of the Scottish Government’s 14 ‘National Developments’ for Scotland in the second National Planning Framework, the CSGN will change the face of Central Scotland, by restoring, transforming and greening the landscape of an area stretching from Ayrshire and Inverclyde in the west, to Fife and the Lothians in the east.
The CSGN encompasses 19 local authorities across 10,000 sq km and has the potential to benefit 3.5million people, equating to 70 per cent of Scotland’s population.
For further information about the CSGN Development Fund, please visit http://www.centralscotlandgreennetwork.org
Submitted by Central Scotland Green Network
