Three more important projects have been awarded large grant funding totalling over £1 million from the Levenmouth Reconnected Programme (LRP).
The LRP was set up to maximise the economic and social opportunities presented by the recently reopened Levenmouth Rail Link, with a £10 million fund made available by Fife Council and the Scottish Government – and managed by Fife Council - to support local initiatives.
Up until now, 11 projects had received large grant funding since the first applications were invited in 2021, and that list has grown by three following approval by councillors on the Levenmouth Area Committee today (May 14).
The biggest grant of £770,000 has gone to the Leven Promenade Active Travel Route, which aims to improve walking, wheeling and cycling provision along the length of the Promenade linking the beach, golf courses, coastal path and the residential area at the east side of Leven to Leven Station.
The first phase of the Levenmouth Connectivity Project developed an active travel route from the platform at Leven Station to the town centre, but this latest initiative will focus on the length of the route beyond School Lane.
The project will also be the first phase of a wider package of measures to improve Leven Promenade, while money has already been set aside in Fife Council’s budget for vital repairs to the sea wall and car park areas following storm damage which will be carried out as soon as possible.
Secondly, the Methilhill Community Children's Initiative has been allocated £140,611 towards its plans to expand its current activity to a new building which is being leased long-term from Fife Council and will operate as a community centre for people living in the local area.
The building – currently the Methilhill Senior Citizens Centre in Main Street – has office space, a kitchen and a main hall which can accommodate up to 80 people, so the move will allow the MCCI to increase the scale and scope of services provided and help address the challenges members of the community face as a whole.
And lastly, £161,172 has been allocated to the BRAG Club@the Hub project, which aims to expand the use of the Together Levenmouth Community Hub in Leven High Street into a more inclusive community venue.
Plans in place include the conversion of the existing downstairs space to create a larger multi-use space for a range of prospective uses, complementing the existing Hub offering and adding value to activities carried out under the BRAG employability provision.
Councillor Colin Davidson, convener of the Levenmouth Area Committee, said: “We’re delighted to support these latest worthwhile projects with large grant funding through the Levenmouth Reconnected Programme, which really has made a tangible difference to this area in recent years.
“We’ve always said the reinstatement of the rail link would be transformational, but the impact of this £10 million fund, split between Fife Council and the Scottish Government, cannot be underestimated.”
Notes:
The Levenmouth Reconnected Working Group assessment panel has assessed and scored three projects seeking a grant award from the LRP and recommended them for funding.
The LRP Oversight Group reviewed the project assessments and also recommended that the projects receive a large grant award.
A list of all the projects which have received large grant funding is available on this website.
