This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Cash for environmental improvement projects
05/03/2007
An additional £2 million is to be made available to improve the quality of life across communities damaged by the impact of pollution, it was announced today.
The extra resources under the Environmental Justice Fund is part of a wider £3.75 million to support community projects in 2007-08 similar to those provided for by the Community Environmental Renewal Grant.
Previous projects supported by the community environmental renewal grant scheme include enhancement of community woodlands, extension of path networks and creating safe play areas away from quarry traffic.
Deputy Environment Minister Sarah Boyack said:
"These grants will help people improve their local environments through supporting community initiatives and encouraging voluntary effort to allow disadvantaged communities to help themselves.
"The funding will allow a continuation of the achievement of the last five years with £7.1 million offered or paid to 287 Community Environmental Renewal Scheme projects which local communities have devised.
"Environmental Justice means that communities suffering poor environmental conditions should have access to the means to improve the quality of their local environment and quality of life. These grant schemes help deliver Scotland's Sustainable Development Strategy, Choosing Our Future by improving the environment and developing sustainable communities.
"I invite any interested parties to apply for funding through the Forward Scotland website."
Community environmental renewal projects should demonstrate environmental impacts from quarrying activity or involve restoration of a quarry disused since 1980. These environmental impacts include dust, noise, visual impact, loss of natural habitat and increased transport from the extraction of aggregates such as rock, sand or gravel. Projects should fit within specified environmental themes and provide demonstrable social and/or economic benefit. The maximum grant for any community will be £100,000.
The scheme providing these grants will be run by Forward Scotland, and Grants Panels involving a range of interested bodies will recommend successful projects. Communities can apply through the Forward Scotland website.