credit: Nick Kane 2022.
Local authorities all over the UK submitted bids to the national Levelling Up Fund for their regional projects and the phase 2 of the Waterfront Regeneration project was part of the regional bid for the Scottish Borders. We understand that the fund was oversubscribed so it was a highly competitive process where regions were competing with other regions.
The funding awards were announced on the 19th of January 2023. Unfortunately, there was no funding awarded to any Scottish Borders projects. In fact, only 10 projects in the whole of Scotland were successful in Levelling Up Round 2.
As a result, it will not be possible to progress phase 2 for the time being. It remains our intention to continue to explore further funding opportunities to complete phases 2 and 3. In the meantime, we are considering temporary uses for the site to enable the space to be utilised in ways that are permitted under the planning consent. We are also exploring options for development of the Sea Garden in Spring 2023, including more robust planters.
Phase 1 of the development is now complete with Kult Fitness occupying the ground floor and Hometown Hub due to taking over the first floor later this month.
Posted: 16/02/2023