Community Environmental Renewal Scheme
Some examples of what communities achieved, 2004-07
Newburgh
The Newburgh Regeneration Group created a waterfront park on land which had been derelict since the demolition of a linoleum factory. This includes paths, grassed areas and other planting, benches, interpretation plaques and a sculpture feature. This is within a mile from Clatchard Craig Quarry on the edge of the village. There was consultation in the community on what people would like to have.
On the south shore of the Tay estuary, this recreational resource provides a wide view over the water to the very extensive reedbeds in the estuary and to the landscape beyond. Grant of £50,000 from the scheme was part of funding from a range of sources totalling over £200,000.
Callander
Grant of £10,000 from the scheme contributed to the cost of about £70,000 to create a defined length of path in the Callander Woodland Link project. This all-abilities path into and through the Coilhallan Wood on hillside on the south-west edge of Callander is about 2 miles away from the operational Cambusmore Quarry.
Part of a project identified in the Callander Community Action Plan 2003, the Callander 2000 and Beyond Community Development Trust proposed this, managed during and after construction by Callander Woodland Link, in which the Forestry Commission Scotland is a partner. The path is part of longer-term aims for development of the woodland, which will include interpretation signs increasing understanding of natural and cultural heritage. The area provides impressive views over the surrounding landscape.
Burntisland
Burntisland 2020 Development Trust obtained grant from the scheme of £16,900 towards a project cost of some £70,000 for the creation of the Broomhill viewpoint. The operational Orrock Quarry is in the vicinity. This transformed an area of overgrown land to which steps lead up on either side.
There is now a community amenity which gives views over the town and the Forth estuary. The main feature is a low circular stone wall to define the viewpoint. There was upgrading of the steps and installation of seating. There was some re-use of stone in the work done.
Balerno
The Harmeny Education Trust in Balerno, Midlothian, is a residential school for a small number of children with special educational needs but there is wider community use of their educational resource. They have a 16-acre site allowing a range of outdoor activities. As they are about 3 miles from the operational Ravelrig Quarry, they were able to receive from this scheme grant of £45,000, part of total project cost of some £200,000, to establish an area enhancing outdoor education by providing water, wetland and grassland habitats, and a raised boardwalk to a bird watching hide.
Lanton
This small village is near Jedburgh and the disused Dunion Quarry. The Community Council obtained from the scheme grant of £5,606 - the total project cost being over £20,000 - to create a community garden. With a central location in the village, this was an area of wasteland adjacent to where one or two new houses were built. The project included planting of plants, trees and shrubs, a pathway, a dry stone wall and some paving. There is a wood sculpture which young people in the village discussed with Eoin Cox of the nearby Woodschool. The garden took account of biodiversity needs as well as what best suited the community as a recreational resource.
Jedburgh
The Jedburgh Community and Arts Centre received grant of £17,533 from the scheme for the creation of a garden surrounding the community art centre building - St John's Old School, a nineteenth century building. Children use the building for an out of school club. The project improved an essentially disused overgrown area as well as the entrance lane at the side of the building, where there is a retaining wall on the other side. There was construction and repair work to make the garden attractive to various user groups and to increase biodiversity. The garden includes a vegetable plot, a lawn and wildlife area. Play equipment was installed with safety surfacing. Jedburgh is near the disused Dunion Quarry.
Jedburgh
With the disused Dunion Quarry near Jedburgh, the scheme contributed £9,000 to Jedforest Instrumental Band towards a total cost of £70,000 to construct a bandstand in a previously featureless park (an area formerly occupied by a factory) which slopes down to a relief road. The Victorian-style bandstand commemorates 150 years of the Band, and creates a focal point for community events and outdoor performance. A temporary boundary fence will be removed when a hedge has had time to grow.
Fisherrow
The Fisherrow Community Centre occupies a former school building now of a historic character and is 4½ miles from Catewell Quarry, a disused limestone quarry which was being used as a receiver of quarried materials for concrete manufacture. The oldest part dates from the eighteenth century, though later rebuilt, and there are larger later additions. A substantial programme of work was to continue in various phases to achieve final restoration and full provision for community use. The scheme contributed £88,000 towards window replacement, a necessary initial stage of making the building able to withstand wind and rain impact. This fell within the theme of restoration and protection of historic environment.
North Berwick
The Scottish Seabird Centre, within 5 miles of Markle Mains Quarry, created a Visitor Centre for Sustainable Lifestyles extension by refurbishing a disused adjacent building. The scheme provided a grant of £20,000 - a very small part of the total funding package of £550,000. The display aims to promote a greater understanding of sustainable development through interactive exhibits and working demonstrations of renewable energies, such as solar panels and wind turbines, and encourage and educate visitors on issues such as waste minimisation, energy efficiency, local biodiversity in their gardens and local area, and the marine environment. The Centre brings tourist revenue into the local community,
Dunbar
3 miles from a disused limestone quarry, the Walker Homes Residents Association obtained grant of £28,405 from the scheme towards the total cost of some £47,000 to improve two small rectangular areas, in Queen's Place and Beachmont Place, creating play parks, one for older children and one for younger children. This involved removal of some items in poor condition and acquisition of a range of purpose-built new equipment, such as a cycle roundabout and pod swing. Woodchip surfacing of the play area was chosen. East Lothian Council assisted with carrying out the work - and provided some benches - which included extension to full use of the larger area by removing car parking bays. The project included new perimeter fencing and bushes.
Haddington
Grant of £38,128 from the scheme - towards a total cost of £79,000 - assisted the Haddington and District Amenity Society to erect new cast iron railings and gates along the west boundary of the churchyard of St Mary's Parish Church, part of wider restoration of the historic environment. Located 2 miles away from an operational quarry, the church and surrounding churchyard are listed as of architectural or historic interest, Category A, which required the restoration to be carried out to the highest standard.
The stonework of the boundary wall - dating from about 1876 - had suffered from erosion and the railings had been removed during World War 2. The stonework required repair using matching carboniferous sandstone, and the gate piers were partially dismantled and rebuilt. The gates and railings were protected by epoxy resin primers and special paints. A new threshold of granite setts was laid for the entrance gates. There was also removal of some derelict buildings to enhance the view to the church.
East Linton
Dunpender Community Council in East Linton provided new equipment in a playpark less than 2 miles away from Markle Mains Quarry. A community survey in 2001 found a wish for better facilities for children and young people and a less bleak park with improved play facility. After investigating some other possible funding sources, the community was successful in obtaining grant from this scheme of £34,096 - the total cost of this project being some £44,000.
A wider range of equipment replaced some existing equipment which had to be removed for safety reasons. The project provided a woodchip surface and a pod swing, aeroskate, multiplay unit and other equipment. Suitable for children aged 8-15, the playpark is adjacent to a primary school. There is also an adjacent small playpark for younger children - this was improved by East Lothian Council.