Published on:
07
June 2013
The Enterprise and Environment Committee has agreed in principal to invest £20,000 a year for the next four years in the Inner Forth Landscape Initiative which will conserve, enhance and celebrate the landscape of the Inner Forth Estuary.
In return it is estimated that Clackmannanshire will receive, in financial terms, projects worth around £1 million.
Councillors on the Enterprise and Environment Committee today (Thursday) gave their full backing to the pioneering partnership project which will ensure a series of projects are delivered and, at the same time, provide local training opportunities. The decision is expected to be ratified at the full Council meeting later this month.
Committee Convener, Councillor Donald Balsillie said: "We are delighted to be working in partnership with the Inner Forth Landscape Initiative. It will promote, protect and improve access to important historical and natural features and bring much needed investment to Clackmannanshire. This extremely important project will provide training opportunities for people within Clackmannanshire in local heritage skills, which clearly fits with the priorities set out in our Corporate Plan, 'Taking Clackmannanshire Forward'."
Councillors agreed in principle to make a financial contribution of £20,000 per year for the delivery phase of the Initiative annually between 2014 and 2018. The money will be met from Council reserves.
Vice-Convener, Councillor Irene Hamilton added: "We are delighted to back the Initiative. It is a significant investment by the Council and the project will ensure the enhancement of the area, particularly along the Black Devon towards Alloa. We're hopeful the project will also allow necessary works to be carried out to improve Clackmannan Tower for the benefit and use by the public."
The Inner Forth Landscape Initiative covers an area of 202 square kilometres around the River Forth in Clackmannanshire, Stirling, Falkirk and Fife.
Within Clackmannanshire the Initiative area includes the Forth shoreline approximately 1-2km inland from the shoreline.
The Initiative has been developed by a partnership of organisations, including the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, local authorities, SEPA, SNH, Historic Scotland, Central Scotland Forest Trust, TCV Scotland and Sustrans.
Its intention is to reveal the hidden cultural, historical and natural wealth of the upper reaches of the Firth of Forth, restore and conserve important features, open up access, and ultimately leave a legacy of a richer landscape and new facilities for all.
The Forth is designated as an internationally important site for birds, providing refuge for thousands of wildfowl and wading birds in winter. The landscape has also been home to Scotland's industries for centuries, becoming an important trading route with the rest of the world. Along the coastline, there is evidence of ancient ports and harbours, salt pans, limekilns, mining and whisky production, sitting alongside the industries of today at Grangemouth, Alloa and Longannet. The layers of history and heritage hidden within the landscape create a fascinating story to be told.
Councillor Hamilton went on: "A key part of the Initiative is that local communities will play a central part in the development and implementation of the project."
Inner Forth was successful in its initial application to the Heritage Lottery Fund securing approximately £75,900. The Council has played a full part in this phase and, with partners, has developed proposals for environmental projects centred on the Black Devon and Cambus Pools areas.
The 10 projects in the Clackmannanshire area are likely to include:
Conservation and enhancement of natural heritage eg creation of new and enhanced wetland areas at the mouth of the River Black Devon and the improvement of the Cambus Pools Nature Reserve
Conservation and enhancement of built and cultural heritage - Clackmannan Tower and Alloa Tower
Upgrading of existing access routes to Cambus Pools, along the River Black Devon between Clackmannan and the Black Devon Wetland, around the Black Devon Wetland and between Cambus and Alloa
Provision of education, skills and training opportunities
Councillor Hamilton added: "These projects will provide significant benefits for both residents and visitors to Clackmannanshire and provide improved access routes to the riverside and to sites of importance for nature conservation."
The Inner Forth Landscape Initiative is holding a drop-in event at Hawkhill Community Centre, Alloa, on Tuesday 11th June from 3.30-6.30pm. This will be a chance to find out about proposed projects in your area, share your views with project partners and help shape the work of the Inner Forth Landscape Initiative by saying how you would like to participate through volunteering, research or training.