Scottish Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser has welcomed community funding from the UK Government that will see a derelict Perth church transformed into a youth hub.
The politician was reacting to the announcement of distribution of £2.3 million from the UK Government Community Ownership Fund (COF), which has seen £250,000 being provided to restore and transform the vacant and historic St Andrews and St Stephens Church in the Fair City into an active and thriving youth/community hub.
It comes as the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities announced the latest allocations from the second round of the £150 million COF.
The cash for nine projects brings the total Scottish COF investment to date to £5.2 million for 24 schemes.
Commenting, Murdo Fraser MSP said: “I very much welcome the exciting news that the project undertaken by YMCA Tayside to convert the 130-year-old St Andrews and St Stephens Church into a multi-level youth hub has received this financial help. This ambitious project is great news for the city, as it will provide a safe place for young people to go. A place they can go to develop skills and build their confidence.
“The funding from the UK Government will help community groups take ownership of local institutions that have fallen into disrepair or are under threat of closure and give them a new lease of life, ensuring they continue to provide vital services, create opportunities and boost local economies.”
Mr Fraser continued: “Once again, it shows the vital financial help given to Scotland by the UK Government. In total they are directly investing more than £2.4 billion in hundreds of projects across Scotland as they grow the economy and level up the country."
Plans for the conversion also include building four flats to support young people in the transition period from supported accommodation to holding and retaining their own tenancy. The project is aiming to be open for a range of uses at the beginning of 2024.
