HELENSBURGH’S planned Colgrain Business Park is still on Argyll and Bute Council's 'wish list' for UK Government funding, a report has revealed.

Council officials have been working with civil servants since April to progress a 'wish list' for financial support from what used to be known as the 'Levelling Up Fund'. 

But the future of the fund, and the projects identified for support, is unclear following Labour's victory in the UK general election last month.

Community digital hubs, and affordable housing for key workers, also feature in potential projects, along with proposals for other areas of Argyll and Bute.

All projects previously identified as part of the area’s initial Levelling Up bid, including Rothesay Pavilion and the Dunbeg Corridor, remain on the agenda.

Until the general election on July 4 the fund was being administered by the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, renamed after Labour took office as the Department of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

The details feature in a report to go before the full council at a specially-convened meeting on Thursday, August 15.

The report states that the ‘likely ask’ from the council for the Colgrain project is now £3 million, matched by a £7m commitment from the area’s Rural Growth Deal.

The report states: “The contribution would relate to the purchase of the site,
utilities and access works plus dedicated workshop spaces.

“This proposal supports the expansion of HMNB Clyde at a critical time to help address MoD and private sector capacity problems ‘behind the wire’.”

The project was one of 11 across Argyll and Bute identified in April, though it was the only one specific to Helensburgh and Lomond.

The other projects on the 'wish list' include an extension to Campbeltown's pier and the former Royal Hotel in Rothesay.

The council was notified in November that it was one of just four local authorities in Scotland set to benefit from a share of up to £20m in UK Government capital funding.

Executive director Kirsty Flanagan said: “The Levelling Up partnership funding for Argyll and Bute was announced by the previous UK Government in the autumn statement.

“The council received an update in on the Levelling Up process in April 2024 and since this date council officers have worked with UK civil servants to inform the selection of possible projects including identifying possible projects that could be council led.

“This all changed when the UK Government announced a general election to be held on July 4. At that point civil servants stopped engaging with the council and this remains the case at the date of writing this report.

“The new UK Government has dropped the term Levelling Up with the Department dealing with this agenda renamed Housing, Communities and Local Government.

“In the interim period council officers have been reaching out to other Scottish Council’s that have been awarded Partnership funding and also looking at manifesto priorities of the new UK Government. This has resulted in a number of proposed changes to projects.

“It should be noted that these projects can only be regarded as suggestions by the council as it is assumed that the UK Government will still choose the projects they want to see delivered following a public engagement process that they carry out as part of the partnership process. The council will also submit to the UK Government previously agreed projects.

“As currently understood, the UK Government will undertake the full business case work supported by the council as they consider appropriate.”

Following a table listing other proposed projects, Ms Flanagan added: “The above projects will be used as a basis of a new discussion with the UK Government when they decide to reengage with the council.

“A letter has already been drafted by the leader of the council to highlight the need for further investment in Argyll and Bute to grow our economy and address identified infrastructure needs.

“It is not clear at the time of writing this report that if the funding remains in place, whether the same process of engagement would continue. Discussions will also continue for possible policy interventions which was also a feature of the original fund.

“It should be noted that the council will also submit the previously agreed council backed projects with the UK Government. Given advice received these will be considered as stand-alone projects. Additional external funding opportunities will also be pursued.”

She then said: “It should be noted that there is no guarantee that any of these projects will be supported by the UK Government as they will likely undertake their own public consultation and new projects may emerge from other public agencies and community groups.

“Council officers will also continue to pursue external funding sources both for the amended list, and for the previously agreed identified projects. “