£8m funding to bring nature to Scotland’s most disadvantaged areas

The search is on for 10 projects that help nature bloom in the most disadvantaged areas of Scotland’s towns and cities as Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) unveils a further £8 million in funding for its Green Infrastructure Fund.The Fund – SNH’s largest to date for improving the urban environment in Scotland’s towns and cities – is being delivered in two phases. The first is due to complete in 2019, and will deliver seven major capital infrastructure projects and 12 community engagement projects, including:Transformation of a derelict golf course in South Lanarkshire into a new urban parkOutdoor recreational space in the Middlefield community in Aberdeen, with weirs and wetlands helping reduce the town’s flood riskCreation of a Local Nature Reserve and new water management scheme around the Forth & Clyde Canal in Glasgow, opening up surrounding vacant and derelict sites for regeneration.SNH is inviting bids for a share in a further £8m funding from up to 10 major projects. It is expected the successful projects will support some of Scotland’s more deprived urban communities to make best use of their local environment, help tackle the effects of climate change, attract business and boost job opportunities.The overall value of the Green Infrastructure Fund’s programme of work over both phases is in the region of £40m. The Green Infrastructure Fund is part of the Scottish Government’s European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) programme.