Stevenson Delighted By Substantial Funding For Rural Projects In Banff & Buchan

Banff & Buchan MSP Stewart Stevenson has welcomed the announcement of the latest round of funding from the Rural Priorities scheme which sees £25.4 million awarded to 350 projects across the Grampian region. Several projects are located within Banff & Buchan, including £31,500 for Ian G Pirie & Co at Overton of Bruxie to implement environmental improvements, £320,000 for Ordens Farms Ltd near Banff to fund woodland creation and £191,600 for Brunthill Farm near New Deer to expand their skip hire and waste recycling business.

The Rural Priorities scheme is part of the Scottish Rural Development Programme and this latest round of funding brings the total that has been awarded under the programme to £257.8 million.

Commenting, Mr Stevenson said:

“The sheer number of projects that have successfully applied for funding in Banff & Buchan and across the Grampian region is testament to the innovative ideas for development that so many rural businesses are developing.

“I know that this support from the Scottish Government will be warmly welcomed by the businesses that are set to benefit, along with those in their local communities.

“With so many projects located in this part of Scotland receiving funding, I believe that this announcement makes a clear demonstration of the importance that the Scottish Government attaches to the rural economy in Banff & Buchan and other parts of the North East.

“This funding will provide an important boost during these difficult economic times and I warmly welcome it”.

Notes:

Banff & Buchan businesses benefitting include:

The business of Ian G Pirie & Co at Overton of Bruxie (near Peterhead) will receive around £31,500 to implement environmental measures that will improve both the local biodiversity and landscape. These include management of water margins, hedgerows, eight hectares of grassland for wildlife, wetland, species rich grassland and creation of a 0.5 hectare plot of wild bird seed. Over 1000m of new hedgerow will also be planted. The project will ensure continued management of a number of habitats successfully created under a previous scheme which ended in 2009.

Brunthill Farm near New Deer plan to expand the successful skip hire and waste recycling side of their business using a £191,600 grant. Due to increases in demand, they wish to build a large extension and construct an office block incorporating washing, toilet and kitchen facilities. The business also wishes to improve its environmental performance by re-using and recycling as much waste as possible by investing in several specialist items of machinery. With this investment, a higher proportion of waste will be able to be recycled (increasing income) which will reduce the quantity that must go to landfill (reducing cost), improving both the environmental and financial performance of the business. 

Ordens Farms Ltd, an agricultural business near Banff, is run by the Taylor family and plans a mixture of woodland creation and improvement of wetlands, water margins, species rich grassland, grass margins, hedges and grazed grassland using a grant of £320,000. Care has been taken to create habitats on the site for endangered species such as water voles and corn bunting. The planting of new hedges and the management of those already there will extend to some 31,500m and safeguard and enhance the landscape. Water quality improvements will also reduce pollution.