The Orkney Fund supports five areas with funding to develop Local Place Plans

The Orkney Fund Board has welcomed the high level of expressions of interests received so far from local organisations for both feasibility study and capacity building projects. 

In addition to this, the Board received a number of requests from local community councils and development trusts asking for funding to develop local Place Plans, which is where communities can develop proposals for their local area, expressing their aspirations and ambitions for future community-led developments. 

During the last meeting it was agreed to award funding towards four Place Plans across Orkney from a total initial budget allocation of £40,000. Successful applicants were: 

• Firth & Stenness Community Council 
• Harray & Sandwick Community Council 
• Holm Community Council  
• North Ronaldsay Development Trust 

An allocation of funds has also been provisionally allocated to Kirkwall & St. Ola Community Council to support a refreshed Kirkwall Place Plan. 

The Orkney Fund Chair, Stephen Hagan said: 

“We are delighted to approve an initial allocation of The Orkney Fund to support the development of a number of Place Plans across Orkney, including Mainland and our most northerly island, demonstrating this fund is supporting the whole of Orkney. 

“This is a substantial amount of funding which will ensure up to five communities will be supported to create Place Plans based on the needs and views of local residents. 

“Unsuccessful applications will be considered in future rounds. There will also be opportunities for those in the process of exploring place making to apply in later rounds also.”