3 - Clyde Peatlands, West Tandlemuir Update -AM Reviewed
Renfrewshire Council · 5 November 2024
Back to Economy and Regeneration Policy Board — 5 November 2024 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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Page 1 of 3 ___________________________________________________________________ To: Economy and Regeneration Board On: 5 November 2024 ___________________________________________________________________ Report by: Chief Executive ___________________________________________________________________ Heading: Clyde Peatlands, West Tandlemuir – Update ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1 The purpose of this report is to update members on the Clyde Peatlands initiative and delivery of the West Tandlemuir Restoration Project within Renfrewshire. ___________________________________________________________________ 2. Recommendations 2.1 It is recommended that the Board: (i) Notes the role of the Clyde Peatlands initiative in contributing to the Council’s response to climate change; (ii) Notes development of the West Tandlemuir Farm Restoration Project as part of Clyde Peatlands in Renfrewshire; (iii) Approves acceptance by Renfrewshire Council of grant funding totalling £297,498 from NatureScot Peatland Action, enabling delivery of the West Tandlemuir project; (iv) Notes that further progress on delivery of the West Tandlemuir project will be reported to the Board as appropriate. _________________________________________________________ 3. Background 3.1 At the Planning and Climate Change Policy Board meeting on 7 November 2023, the development of the Clyde Peatlands initiative across the Glasgow City Region was noted, as well as the opportunity for peatland restoration within Renfrewshire at West Tandlemuir Farm, Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park, Lochwinnoch.
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Page 2 of 3 3.2 The Board delegated authority to the Head of Economy and Development to develop and progress the implementation of the West Tandlemuir Restoration Project, including the preparation of bids for capital funding. ___________________________________________________________________ 4. West Tandlemuir Farm Restoration 4.1 The development of a detailed programme of restoration works was carried out in early 2024, in partnership with the Clyde Peatlands officer and a working group consisting of relevant officers from the Chief Executive’s Service and Environment, Housing, and Infrastructure Services. 4.2 Planning consent for the works was granted in February 2024 (ref. 24/0031/PA). To secure funding for the project, a formal application was submitted to NatureScot’s Peatland Action fund in spring 2024. In parallel, an exercise was conducted to procure an appropriate specialist contractor to deliver the works, in the event the funding application was successful. 4.3 The Finance, Resources and Customer Services Policy Board of 13 June 2024 approved the award of a works contract for the Tandlemuir Peatland Restoration to McGowan Environmental Engineering Ltd, subject to confirmation of funding from NatureScot. 4.4 In late summer 2024 NatureScot advised that the Council’s Peatland Action fund application had been successful and issued a grant offer of £297,498 to support delivery of works. The offer of grant represents 100% of the total project works and the value of the contract approved at Board in June 2024. ___________________________________________________________________ 5. Next Steps 5.1 Acceptance of the grant offer, pending legal review of its terms and conditions, will enable the formal appointment of the contractor and the delivery of the restoration project. Subject to Board approval, it is anticipated that works will commence in December 2024 and continue for approximately 16 weeks ___________________________________________________________________ Implications of the Report 1. Financial – Project costs will be fully funded from a grant from the NatureScot Peatland Action Fund. 2. HR & Organisational Development – None 3. Community/Council Planning – Creating a sustainable Renfrewshire for all to enjoy – The project will support the Council’s response to climate change and delivery of Renfrewshire’s Plan for Net Zero and Renfrewshire Biodiversity Strategy 2018-2022 through the storage of carbon emissions and works which support, enhance and connect existing habitats.
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Page 3 of 3 4. Legal – None 5. Property/Assets – None 6. Information Technology – None 7. Equality & Human Rights - The Recommendations contained within this report have been assessed in relation to their impact on equalities and human rights. No negative impacts on equality groups or potential for infringement of individuals’ human rights have been identified arising from the recommendations contained in the report. If required following implementation, the actual impact of the recommendations and the mitigating actions will be reviewed and monitored, and the results of the assessment will be published on the Council’s website. 8. Health & Safety – None 9. Procurement – Acceptance of the grant offer from NatureScot will allow award of the works contract approved at the Finance Board of 13 June 2024. 10. Risk – None 11. Privacy Impact – None 12. Climate Risk – Implementation of the project within Renfrewshire will support the Council’s Plan for Net Zero through storage of carbon and reduction of emissions. 13. Children’s Rights – None 14. Cosla Policy Position – None _______________________________________________________ List of Background Papers (a) Clyde Peatlands – Update. Planning and Climate Change Policy Board, 7 November 2023 (b) Contract Award - Tandlemuir Farm Peatland Restoration (RC-CPU-23- 247). Finance, Resources and Customer Services Policy Board, 13 June 2024. Appendices (a) Location Plan – West Tandlemuir Peatland Restoration Works ___________________________________________________________________ Author: Euan Shearer, Regeneration and Place Manager euan.shearer@renfrewshire.gov.uk Tel: 07483 136235
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1:32,951 Author: Ordnance Survey Mapping - © Crown Copyright and database right 2023. All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100023417. Aerial Photography 2009 - Cities Revealed ® copyright by The Geoinformation ® Group, 2009 and Crown Copyright © All rights reserved. Aerial Photography 2004/6 - © 2004 Getmapping plc © 2006 Getmapping plc Aerial Photography 2001 - Cities Revealed ® copyright by The Geoinformation ® Group, 2009 and Crown Copyright © All rights reserved. Historic Map Data - © Crown Copyright and Landmark Information Group Limited 2012. All rights reserved. I Date: 22/08/2023ALAN BURGESS LOCATION / CONTEXT PLAN WEST TANDLEMUIR - PEATLAND RESTORATION WORKS Legend Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park - Boundary SELECTED TREATMENT AREA WEST TANDLEMUIR FARM BOUNDARY