Thanks to a strong public vote, a campaign group’s bid to revitalise Balloch Castle Country Park has secured £4,000 of funding - and now has the chance to win a further £125,000.
Balloch Castle Country Park Regeneration Group’s (BCCPRG) ‘Don’t Let Balloch Park Sink’ funding bid has secured an initial funding boost from the Riverwoods Pioneers investment programme.
Riverwoods Investment Pioneers’ scheme is a partnership between the Scottish Wildlife Trust and Democratic Society, funded by Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.
Judges assessed 12 applications from across Scotland along with the outcome of a public vote which closed on December 4.
Five shortlisted projects (including Balloch Park) now go through to the second round.
The group - which is made up of local volunteers who want to see the venue restored to its former glory - came second in the public vote.
Maurice Donohue from BCCPRG said: “The group are pleased to have been well supported in the public vote; we are putting a great deal of effort into talking with the local community and all stakeholders to help realise the huge potential of Balloch Park and the benefits to the environment through nature restoration.”
The judges stated that Balloch Park is strong on footfall and giving benefit to large numbers of people, with commercial possibilities potentially enabling the park to become self-funding.
The Riverwoods’ stage two process now requires the group to show that they can work closely with key stakeholders including the local community, West Dunbartonshire and Glasgow City Councils, and others, to create a vision and a plan for Balloch that has nature and people at heart.
The group is also working with organisations including Loch Lomond Angling Improvement Association and the Lomond Fisheries Trust as both organisations have trained scientists and knowledge of what is needed to improve conditions for iconic and threatened fish species, including the Atlantic Salmon and Powan.
Audrey Baird from BCCPRG added: “A huge thanks to everyone who voted and helped to get Balloch Park to the next stage.
“We now have a wonderful opportunity to draw on a range of professional support to create a nature restoration plan for Balloch Park to help remove invasive species and pollution, and create healthier habitats for people and wildlife in conjunction with a range of partners.
“If anyone would like to join us, please get in touch now. We will need all the ideas, support and enthusiasm we can get.”
More information on the BCCPRG is available via Facebook.com/Ballochcastlecountrypark.
