£540k boost for Stranraer regeneration

Dumfries and Galloway Council have been successful in securing £540,000 from Historic Scotland to establish a Conservation Area Regeneration Programme across Stranraer Conservation Area, broadly covering the town centre.
This programme will begin in April 2016 and run through to 2021.
Together with the council’s own match funding and private sector contribution the programme has a value of £1.69 million.
Chairman of the council’s environment, economy and infrastructure committee Councillor Colin Smyth said: “I am delighted that we have been able to secure yet more funding to invest in the regeneration of Stranraer.
“This additional funding brings the total investment from the council and others to over £3 million this year alone and will see further improvements made to Stranraer.”
He added: “Much of that investment has so far gone towards the Stranraer Waterfront because it is the only major opportunity that exists to deliver transformational change for the town and offer a new reason to attract visitors to the town.
“However, the regeneration of Stranraer is about more than just the Waterfront and the funding from Historic Scotland, matched by the council and private sector, will ensure major improvements in and around the town centre and help maintain and restore some of the most historic parts of the town.”
The Conservation Area Regeneration Programme will include the refurbishment, improvement and reuse of important historic buildings in the town centre, which include the Stranraer Museum, the former Harbourmaster’s Office, Gillespie’s Bakery and the Dickson and Mahan building situated on the High Street.
The project will also include a property improvement initiative aimed at providing grant funding to property owners to enable them undertake essential external repairs to their premises and contribute to the wider improvement of property condition across the town.