18 Projects Benefit from over £430,000.

18 projects are to share over £430,000 to transform the local environment and add value to the economy, Environment Minister Aileen McLeod said today.

The Central Scotland Green Network (CSGN) Development Fund supports trees, woodlands and green infrastructure, encourage community growing and promote active travel to help transform the quality of life for people living and working in the area.

This is Europe’s largest greenspace initiative, and projects from stretching from Ayrshire and Inverclyde in the west, to Fife and the Lothians in the east have received funding to restore and transform the landscape.

Dr Aileen McLeod, Minister for the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform, said:

“This additional £438,000 for the CSGN Development Fund in 2016/17 is on top of almost £5.8 million which has already been allocated to over 150 projects in the past six years . It is fantastic to see so many exciting projects receive a share of the latest funding. I have no doubt that this will bring a wide range of benefits to the environment, local communities and local economies. These projects have all been developed with the local communities that will benefit from them and together they will continue the transformation of the central belt into a better place to live, work and visit.”

Keith Geddes, Chair of the CSGN Trust, said: “This significant extension to the Development Fund will ensure CSGN continues to make a considerable contribution to projects working towards improving the central belt on the ground.

“These innovative projects will focus on safeguarding trees and woodlands for the future, adopting green infrastructure, creating vibrant community growing resources to encourage healthy eating and enhancing access routes for the benefit of local and disadvantaged communities, businesses and the environment.”