HELIX Finally Takes Shape For Falkirk After £25M Big Lottery Fund Award
14 November 2007
A 300 hectare site between Falkirk and Grangemouth is set to become Scotland's most exciting and varied environmental community following the announcement that The HELIX has been awarded £25 million from the Big Lottery Fund's Living Landmarks programme, the only Scottish proposal to receive funding.
The HELIX will establish a massive environmentally based community resource and will offer a better quality of life to visitors and its surrounding communities.
When completed The HELIX will see over 750,000 trees planted; the creation of five biodiversity nature parks; 34 kilometres of paths and cycle tracks; a 1.85 kilometre canal link created linking Grangemouth on the River Forth into Scotland's canal network and; two 30 metre 'Kelpie' horse heads based on the mythical Scots creatures of the same name that will function as a boat lift at the entrance to the Forth and Clyde canal making it the largest equine sculpture in the world.
Cllr Linda Gow, Leader of Falkirk Council said: "The HELIX will be a creation of our communities - their thoughts and ideas as well as their aspirations will all be included in the project as it takes shape in the coming years.
"The bid couldn't have succeeded without their vision for the Falkirk area and we wish to thank the many of individuals, groups and organisations who have supported us over the past few years and in helping making the HELIX one of the most exciting environmental developments in the UK.
"The project will transform the site and help us to achieve our long term aims to improve the area for residents and visitors alike under our My Future's In Falkirk economic development initiative.
"We're the only project in Scotland to receive a Big Lottery Fund Living Landmarks award and it demonstrates how the judges recognised the value we placed in involving our communities from the outset.
"The award of £25m is recognition that The HELIX is an inspirational and sustainable project. For many years to come, as the project develops, the benefits will be felt by local people, businesses and the environment alike."
Simon Rennie, Chief Executive of Central Scotland Forest Trust said: " The HELIX project is an excellent example of partnership working at its very best, from partners to the community and businesses.
"CSFT congratulates all of those involved in delivering a successful bid to the heart of Scotland ."
Steve Dunlop, Director Scotland at British Waterways said: "This is great news not just for the many local communities in and around Falkirk and Grangemouth but for Scotland as a whole. The HELIX has captured the imagination of the public both locally and nationally and I have no doubt that this groundbreaking environmental project will become a great source of pride for everyone.
"The HELIX includes a number of innovative elements, all of which combine to create a truly landmark project. The breathtaking Kelpie boatlift is quite simply an engineering marvel which is set to become a major tourism asset for Scotland , attracting visitors from across the globe."
"Independent research has shown clearly that the rebirth and investment in Scotland's lowland canals has resulted in a range of social and economic benefits to canalside communities across the country, and I firmly believe that The HELIX project will have a similar impact across central Scotland and beyond."
"The backing of local communities in Falkirk and Grangemouth was critical to the success of the bid and we would like to thank everyone who has worked tirelessly to support the project. The team is now looking forward to working closely with the community and our other partners as the project takes shape and The HELIX comes to life."
A partnership between Falkirk Council, British Waterways and Central Scotland Forest Trust, The HELIX is a key project in the My Future's In Falkirk economic regeneration initiative for the Falkirk Council area.
Its name comes from the distinctive shape of the project as it spirals down from Langlees to Laurieston and Polmont.
Work is expected to start in 2008 and will progress over three distinct phases and will span a ten year period and beyond. To deliver The HELIX, a Trust will be established and will have representatives from the partnership as well as community representatives.
The overall project costs will be in the region of £49 million.
Ends
http://www.falkirkonline.net/helix/introduction.aspx
For more information on
Falkirk Council contact 01324 506055
Central Scotland Forest Trust contact Leigh Ritchie on 07825 771168
British Waterways contact Wave PR 0141 303 8390
The Big Lottery Fund contact Emma Whitfield, Big Lottery Fund press office, 0141 242 1415 Out of office contact, 07880 737157.
Big Lottery Fund: Information and Enquiries line 0870 240 2391
Notes to Editors
My Future's in Falkirk is an innovative 10 year economic development initiative which is transforming the Falkirk area into a diverse and modern economy and a desirable place to work, live and visit. The area already makes a major contribution to the Scottish economy through its position as the hub of the chemicals industry, its extensive transportation links and its growing reputation as a tourism and leisure destination.
To date the initiative has generated a commitment of £750 million of private sector investment into the area - significantly ahead of its original target of £200 million by the end of 2012. In 2012 it is expected that up to 4250 new jobs will have been created and an additional £50 million a year will be generated for the local economy.
My Future's in Falkirk is a partnership between Falkirk Council, BP and Scottish Enterprise Forth Valley and INEOS with funding support from European Regional Development Fund.
http://www.myfuturesinfalkirk.co.uk/Homepage.aspx
The Big Lottery Fund is the joint operating name of the New Opportunities Fund and the National Lottery Charities Board (which made grants under the name of the Community Fund). The Big Lottery Fund, launched on 1 June 2004, is distributing half of all National Lottery good cause funding across the UK .
The Big Lottery Fund's Living Landmarks Programme will award £140 million across the UK to initiatives that has been designed to inspire communities to transform, revitalize and regenerate the places where they live, through social and community projects and major infrastructure investments.
Full details of Big Lottery Fund projects and grant awards are available at : www.biglotteryfund.org.uk