WIREDGOV

Plans to create new outdoors sporting facilities in Glasgow’s east end yesterday received a welcome cash boost from the Scottish Land Fund. Easthall Residents Association will use its £65,800 award to purchase two derelict areas of land in Easterhouse, which have been earmarked for a range of new leisure facilities such as tennis courts, a seven a side football pitch, running track, bike track, adventure play area and outdoor gym.

As well as improving the health and wellbeing of young people and the wider community, the project will also provide employment and training opportunities during the development and building phase.

As Rachel McCann MBE, Chairperson of Easthall Residents Association explains, the new facilities will also help to regenerate the local area: “We are delighted to have received support from the Scottish Land Fund and look forward with excitement to progressing with our plans of acquiring two derelict land sites within our communities of Easthall and Kildermorie. This moves us a step closer to bringing to life our Community Land Project that will enable our community and organisation to put people first, by improving educational attainment, offering employability opportunities, and improving the mental and physical health and wellbeing of our residents.”

David McKean, 18, a young person in the area, said: “I think this is fantastic, it’ll really help people all across the community especially young people like me by staying fit and healthy, and giving us something to do rather than sitting around the house all day. I can’t wait for it to be complete.”

Announcing the funding, John Watt, Scottish Land Fund Committee Chair, said: “I am delighted to see another organisation in Glasgow benefit from Scottish Land Fund investment. This award to the Easthall Residents Association will help to regenerate two areas of Easterhouse but, more than that, it will bring people together to take ownership of land that matters most to them. This will also mean more employment and training opportunities for young people, as well as increased health and wellbeing activities for the wider community.”

Cabinet Secretary for Land Reform Roseanna Cunningham, said: “I’m very pleased to see Easthall taking advantage of the change in the Scottish Land Fund, which allowed applications from communities in urban areas of Scotland, mirroring recent changes we have made to community right-to-buy legislation. I would encourage more groups to take advantage of the opportunities that this brings.”

Ailsa Raeburn, Head of Community Assets for HIE, said: “It is great to see Easthall Residents Association come through the Scottish Land Fund. With our support and guidance, communities like Easthall are able to create the conditions which drive sustainable local regeneration.”

The Scottish Land Fund is keen to support more applications from across Scotland and particularly within urban areas. Groups considering applying should contact the Big Lottery Fund to discuss their idea at advicescotland@biglotteryfund.org.uk or by phoning 0300 123 7110.

For more information on this release please contact

Big Lottery Fund Scotland press office
Scott.oakley@biglotteryfund.org.uk
0141 242 1524

Highland and Islands Enterprise Press Office
calum.macfarlane@hient.co.uk 
01463 244244

Notes to editors

• The Scottish Land Fund reopened to applications in April 2016. The programme is funded by the Scottish Government and delivered in partnership by the Big Lottery Fund and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, both of which have extensive experience of helping communities to acquire and develop their assets for over a decade.
• The SLF Committee was appointed following the normal procedures for public appointments.
• The BIG Lottery Fund distributes lottery funding to health, education, environment and charitable causes across the UK. It also uses its expertise in grant-giving to distribute non-Lottery funding. Full details of the BIG Lottery Fund programmes and grant awards are available on the website: http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk. BIG Lottery Fund Public Enquiries Line call: 0300 123 7110.
• Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) delivers the Scottish Government Economic Strategy across more than half of Scotland - from Shetland to Argyll and from the Hebrides to Moray. It aims to support businesses and social enterprises; strengthen communities and fragile areas; develop key sectors, and create the conditions for a competitive and low carbon region. HIE has an annual budget of more than £75m and employs around 250 people in locations around the Highlands and Islands. See more at www.hie.co.uk