A REGENERATION project in Tarbert could start as soon as spring 2026 – but council officers warn there is “no guarantee” that funding bids will succeed.

Buildings in Argyll Place, Glendale and Undercliffe are among the proposed priority buildings for the Tarbert Heritage Regeneration Scheme (HRS).

Funding options are currently being explored, with developers agreeing to extend the development phase. It is now proposed to submit applications in summer 2025, with a decision by the end of the year.

An update on the project will go before councillors at a meeting of Argyll and Bute Council’s Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands area committee on Wednesday, December 4.

Executive director Kirsty Flanagan said: “The Tarbert HRS delivery phase would operate on a similar basis to the current Conservation Area Regeneration Schemes (CARS) running in Lochgilphead and Helensburgh. Tarbert is one of eight Scottish towns with five-year HRS projects currently in development.

“Current work includes surveying and costing exercises to ensure a project is developed that is deliverable, effective and meets funding criteria. Consultation, undertaken in June 2024, sought the views of the community on which buildings should be taken forward as priorities for repair.

“The buildings with the highest scores are currently subject to professional survey and cost analysis. These are Glendale, the former tourist information building on Argyll Place, Undercliffe, and properties linked to Tarbert’s fishing heritage.

“Due to initial difficulties in procuring consultants, funders have agreed that the development phase can be extended. Applications are now proposed to be submitted in summer 2025, with anticipated decision dates in December 2025.

“In order to be able to deliver a meaningful project, it is anticipated that an application to HES (Historic Environment Scotland) would seek funding in the region of £850,000, and an associated application of circa £1 million be made to NLHF (National Lottery Heritage Fund).

“In line with previous CARS programmes, it is anticipated that Tarbert HRS would require between £300,000-£500,000 of council match funding to satisfy the requirements of funders. The funding landscape is however extremely challenging at present.”

Ms Flanagan added: “Should funding applications to HES, and NLHF prove successful, it is considered that a project could commence in spring 2026.

“As delivery phase proposals require to be fully funded, match funding will require to be confirmed in advance of future bids. This will require an appropriate funding source to be identified.

“The delivery phase applications will be subject to a competitive process, and whilst the council has successfully secured heritage funding to assist with projects in Campbeltown, Helensburgh, Rothesay, Dunoon, Lochgilphead and Inveraray in the past, there is no guarantee that bids will be successful.”