Nature Restoration Fund - Progress to Date and 25/26 Spend Options
Argyll and Bute Council · 21 August 2025
Back to Policy and Resources Committee — 21 August 2025 and its agenda
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC GROWTH 21ST AUGUST 2025 ROADS AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMERCIAL SERVICES NATURE RESTORATION FUND – PROGRESS TO DATE AND 25/26 SPEND OPTIONS 1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1.1 In July 2021 the Scottish Government launched the Nature Restoration Fund, which provided £10 million of funding for financial year 2021-22 for projects addressing biodiversity loss and climate change, half of which was delivered via Local Authorities. Since that date the Council has received further tranches of funding and projects were agreed by the Policy and Resources Committee on 12 October 2023 and 7 December 2023. Following a suspension of funds by Scottish government in 2024 a further tranche of funding split into revenue (£84k) and capital (£355k) has been allocated to the council for spend in 2025-26. 1.2 The Nature Restoration Fund aims to support large-scale, multi-year, multi- partner projects, which deliver transformative changes to deliver nature recovery. Consequently, some projects must be phased over several years to deliver significant improvements to the natural environment. 1.3 This report updates members on projects previously agreed to be taken forward (See Appendix 1) and proposes several projects to be delivered in 2025-26 (See Appendix 2) 1.4 The Scottish Government have a further fund available to Local Authorities and Scotland’s National Parks for local nature restoration projects. This fund is accessed via a bidding process which is open to the Council and is also open to projects that help Scotland's species, woodlands, rivers and seas back on the road to recovery. Council Officers have looked at this fund however there is a need for further feasibility work to be done to make a credible bid and this is reflected in the proposed new projects. 2.0 RECOMMENDATIONS 2.1 It is recommended that Policy and Resources Committee:-
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(a) Note the progress made regarding the previously agreed allocation of Nature Restoration Funding in Appendix 1 of this report; (b) Consider and approve the proposed projects in Appendix 2 of this report noting that there is still a balance of funds to be allocated; and (c) Agree delegated Authority to the Executive Directors with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth and Commercial Services in consultation with the Policy Leads with responsibility for Planning and Regulatory Services and Climate Change, Renewables and Net Zero to amend the distribution of this funding in relation to approved projects in Appendix 2 if considered necessary. 3.0 DETAIL 3.1 The proposed strategic goal for the Nature Restoration Fund is “to catalyse action at scale to protect and restore nature and Scotland’s biodiversity in land and at sea”. The fund has an increased focus on outcomes which address the main drivers of the decline in biodiversity – on land, over-exploitation of the natural environment and addressing its consequences, habitat loss and fragmentation, and invasive non-native species – particularly rural biodiversity. 3.2 The Fund has four strategic themes to be delivered across all the funding streams: - • Habitat restoration – management for enhancement and connectivity; • Freshwater restoration, including hydrological change; • Eradication of invasive non-native species impacting on nature; and • Coastal and marine management to promote restoration and resilience. 3.3 The Council has been allocated £835,000 of funding since 2021. This new allocation for 2025/26 is £84k revenue and £355k capital. 2021/22 £108,000 2022/23 £238,000 2023/24 £489,000 2024/25 0 2025/26 £439,000 3.4 Previous agreed funding has now been fully committed with projects either completed, contracts signed and underway or pending legal agreements and/or suitable weather to carry out agreed actions. A full breakdown of progress made is contained in Appendix 1 of this report. 3.5 The new funding confirmed by the Scottish Government is now split between revenue and capital. In terms of revenue funding officers have identified the need for additional feasibility works to assist the council on our journey to net zero and improve our biodiversity on key sites. It will also cover
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administrative costs of the council. It is also anticipated that this work will potentially assist the council, and our partners, to make a bid to other parts of the Scottish Government nature restoration funding that is competitive in nature. This work will also help identify future projects that could be a recipient of future council nature restoration funding subject to member approval and the Government providing new funding. 3.6 In terms of the capital element of the fund, council officers have identified several options for extending existing projects that have proved successful. This approach takes account of officer capacity to undertake these works given many competing priorities we now must deal with. These have been included in Appendix 2 of this report, and they focus on the council’s extensive estate including our road network, council land and additional assets that contain opportunities to improve/restore nature. 4.0 CONCLUSION 4.1 This report notes the good progress made to date in relation to previous allocations of the Scottish Government Nature Restoration Fund as identified in Appendix 1 of this report. The report goes on to recommend that the Council take forward several deliverable revenue and capital projects via the new allocation of the Nature Restoration Fund for 2025-26. These projects are identified in Appendix 2 of this report. 5.0 IMPLICATIONS 5.1 Policy - There are no policy implications arising directly from this report. 5.2 Financial - There are no direct financial implications arising from this report, however, it should be noted that some of the projects do remove a financial cost to the Council, and therefore can be classed as cost avoidance for the Local Authority. 5.3 Legal - There are no legal requirements arising directly from this report. 5.4 HR - There is a resource requirement for staff to implement the projects. 5.5 Customer Service - Communities across Argyll and Bute will benefit from this funding. 5.6 Risk - There is a risk of loss of funding should the Council not spend this funding allocated by the Scottish Government. 5.7 Climate Change - The Nature Restoration Fund aims to support large-scale, multi-year, multi-partner projects which deliver transformative change to drive forward nature recovery and address biodiversity loss and climate change. 5.8 Fairer Scotland Duty – None arising from this report. 5.9 Equalities - protected characteristics – None arising from this report. 5.10 Consumer Duty - None arising from this report.
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5.11 Island Communities - None arising directly from this report. 5.12 Children’s Rights and Wellbeing – None arising from this report. Kirsty Flanagan, Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Infrastructure Services Douglas Hendry, Executive Director with overall responsibility for Commercial Services Councillor Kieron Green, Policy Lead for Planning and Regulatory Services Councillor Luna Martin, Policy Lead for Climate Change, Renewables and Net Zero 11th July 2025 For further information contact: Fergus Murray, Head of Development and Economic Growth Fergus.Murray@argyll-bute.gov.uk Stephen Hall, Interim Head of Road and Infrastructure Services Stephen.Hall@argyll-bute.gov.uk Ross McLaughlin, Head of Commercial Services Ross.Mclaughlin@argyll-bute.gov.uk APPENDICES Appendix 1 - List of Projects previously approved by Elected Members Appendix 2 – List of recommended projects
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APPENDIX 1 - LIST OF PROJECTS PREVIOUSLY APPROVED BY ELECTED MEMBERS Nature Restoration Funding Projects Agreed at Policy and Resources Committee (12 October 2023) £258,000 Agreed at Policy and resources Committee (7 December 2023) £575,000 Contingency/Surplus funding £2,000 £835,000 OPTION INDICATIVE COST COMMENT CATEGORY UPDATE - July 2025 School Biodiversity Fund £68,000 Competitive fund for local schools to develop Biodiversity Action Plans for their respective grounds. Tree planting, food growing, education materials (Cooler Futures – potential partnership with ACT) Habitat restoration Fully Committed
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Tree Planting Fund £75,000 Competitive fund to grant funds to local groups, schools or community organisations to plant native trees across Argyll and Bute. Community / place / biodiversity- habitat creation/enhancement / carbon sequestration. Fully Committed School food waste composting £60,000 In schools that don’t have food waste uplift investigate setting up of local composting solutions to be used onsite. Education / minor cost avoidance on waste front/ organic fertiliser for school plantings. Fully Committed Control of invasive non- native species on Council assets (spraying or removal Japanese Knotweed, Rhododendron ponticum etc). £100,000 It’s a legal requirement to control INNS. Proposed four year eradication plan based on repeat applications of Glyphosate or other approved chemical to target hotspot areas of worst species with the aim to be successful. . Applications generally need to be made over a 3 - 4 year period. This proposal will be carried out within the road corridor or other areas of Council controlled land but with a requirement for adjacent landowners to carry out treatments to land which they control. Locations are extensive across Argyll and Bute. The intention would be to carry out the majority of these works deploying Council trained resource. However, in extremely dense areas, where there will be a need to carry out some works through stem injections, a contractor would be sought due to the intense labour requirement for this task. Cost avoidance / benefit on council assets, community, place and biodiversity. Fully committed - on track, first applications of this season just about complete. Training courses being sought to have employees trained and qualified in stem injection treatment. This will allow the Council to treat more dense areas and those areas close to waterways more effectively. Contractor assistance being sought to assist in treating the Black Lynn in Oban this year and the following year.
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Woodland Planting at Dalinlonghart Dunoon £100,000 Previous forested area was harvested, there is an obligation on the part of the Council to replant this site which is adjacent to the landfill site currently operated by Renewi (which will transfer back to the Council at the end of the PPP contract in Sept 2026). This will remove a future financial pressure for the cost of the planting and will also produce a long term income source when the timber can be harvested and sold to the commercial market. Nature Restoration - Benefit to Council assets, cost avoidance, carbon sequestration for climate change and woodland biodiversity. Fully committed - 27/06/2025. Works complete, including: tree planting, ATV tracks, INNs removal, final fencing. Woodland clearance and native replanting at Kilmory Estate / Kilmory Business Park £50,000 Woodland around Kilmory Estate and Screening Business Park over mature and likely require felling and re-planting. Using a mix of native species that will enhance local biodiversity. Habitat Restoration SLA delivered to act to produce a woodland management PIN and a plan for renovation of the walled garden Woodland clearance and native replanting at Kilmory Estate / Kilmory Business Park £50,000 Woodland creation in and around Kilmory Estate and Screening Business Park over mature and likely require felling and re- planting. Using a mix of native species that will enhance local biodiversity. Note that in October 2023, the P&R Committee agreed to £50k of funding – this brings the total of this project to £100k of funding as it better reflects the scale of the works involved. Habitat Restoration- removal of INNS and native tree planting which will contribute to biodiversity and carbon sequestration for climate change. SLA delivered to act to produce a woodland management plan and a plan for renovation of the walled garden
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Nature Networks Mapping project (as per NPF4) (to be re-named Local Nature Conservation Site Review) £25,000 The primary purpose of a Nature Network is ecological connectivity. This connectivity is required for fully functioning and healthy ecosystems. One of these priorities is establishing Nature Networks through Nature-based solutions, which provide multiple advantages supporting biodiversity, climatic resilience, and societal well-being. Contributes to 30 x 30 objectives https://www.nature.scot/professional- advice/protected-areas-and-species/30-30- and-nature-networks/30-30-explained Habitat Restoration Fully committed - Enviro Centre appointed 19.06.25. The project will run until 12.06.26. Argyll and Bute Local Biodiversity Action Plan refresh £30,000 To develop a clear new framework for Local Biodiversity Action within Argyll and Bute for the next 10 years ( this is to ensure delivery) in order to contribute to 30 x 30 , Nature Networks and contribute to the delivery SBS across Scotland by 2045. Habitat Restoration Fully committed - Enviro Centre appointed 19.06.25. The project will run until 12.06.26 Reed bed restoration at Glengorm and Gartbreck landfill sites £60,000 Restoration of reed bed filtration systems which are in place to filter and treat leachate from landfill sites Coastal and Marine management The report was submitted to SEPA in April. Additional sampling and monitoring required on site given that the unusually dry spell caused some issues. Await SEPA advice to progress
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Perennial Plants – Bowmore Public Realm £25,000 The purchase of native shrubs and perennial plants for the flower beds at Bowmore Public Realm. Habitat Restoration Discussions are ongoing with a Third Sector Partner who is keen to come on board with this project. A planting plan has been drawn up and shared with the group for their input. Proposal for works to commence this autumn with current plant material being removed, new soil imported and new planting material incorporated. From there on the third sector group will maintain this area.
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Play park enhancements (total based over 2 – 3 year programme) £80,000 This proposal is to complement the ongoing Play Park Renewal Fund and would further enhance that programme by converting some areas of tired and aged hard landscaping to meadow. The additional areas of grass cutting would be negligible, and this proposal would remove long term maintenance costs associated with hard paving and also approve the local aesthetics. Benefit to council assets, cost avoidance, carbon sequestration, water absorption, community, place and biodiversity in terms of habitat creation that benefits pollinator’s. Locations identified are at the following play areas, Tobermory, Ardrishaig, Sandbank, Rothesay, Saddell Street, Jock's Boat, with several areas identified in Helensburgh and Lomond, final adjustments to Helensburgh locations currently underway to ensure the task remains within budget. Preparation works will commence October, for germination to take place spring 2026. These works will be carried out on grassland bankings etc., however there are ongoing maintenance costs of grass cutting, collection and removal and also disposal costs, with proper wildflower areas having a lifespan of three years, four maximum and requiring to be replaced at this point, repeating all the current ongoing works. This should be reminded for future investment opportunities.
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Dunbeg Community Woodland (Help to mitigate impact of peatland) £60,000 As above. Community / Place, Carbon sequestration which helps to address climate change and Biodiversity. Working with LINK / West Highland RSL, to update planting proposals and planning engagement with local community group to refine plans prior to tendering planting works which is planned for the end of FQ3. Former skating pond in Helensburgh (local nature conservation site and link to local nature networks) £50,000 Opening up some areas of invasive vegetation to allow wildlife and other users access to open water. Nature restoration/water quality. Fully committed - Scott and Simmons appointed 3rd April. Ecology and drainage surveys underway. A community consultation opened on 26th May and ran until 7th July 2025. This included work with local primary schools and an open day at the Skating Pond. TOTAL £833,000
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APPENDIX 2 - LIST OF RECOMMENDED PROJECTS Funding Allocated 2025/2026: Revenue £84,000 Capital £355,000 Total £439,000 NUMBER OPTION INDICATIVE COST COMMENT CATEGORY Revenue Capital 1 Integrated Carbon Sequestration, Biodiversity Restoration, and Climate Adaptation on Council Land £50,000 A strategic initiative to leverage Nature Restoration Funding (NRF) for a comprehensive programme on Argyll & Bute Council’s own land assets. The programme will utilise NRF Development Phase funding for essential mapping, assessment, and pilot project design. The programme will systematically map, assess, and enhance these assets to deliver three interlinked outcomes: carbon sequestration, biodiversity recovery, and climate adaptation through nature-based solutions. Biodiversity & Habitat Restoration, carbon sequestration enhancement, and nature based climate adaptation.
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2 Former skating pond in Helensburgh (local nature conservation site and link to local nature networks) £75,000 Costs are likely to be in excess of £250k and will need to be phased over, at a minimum, NCF financial allocation years 25/26 and 26/27. Potential phase 1 delivery - drainage and environmental/biodiversity works incl invasive species removal, phase 2 delivery - paths infrastructure and environmental interpretation. Nature restoration/water quality. 3 Biodiversity Action Plan implementation £34,000 £26,000 The Biodiversity Action Plan which has been commissioned and is in preparation will, in combination with the reviewed Local Nature Conservation Sites, identify a comprehensive list of Biodiversity Improvement Actions, and LNCS management measures that are within the control of the Council to implement. This is anticipated to be ready for FQ1 2026. Nature restoration
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4 Dunbeg Community Woodland and Biodiversity Enhancement / Visitor Interpretation. £100,000 The existing allocation for the community woodland will not cover all phases of the planned planting. In addition, Phase 4 development is intended to enhance the adjacent wetlands, and there is opportunity to advance this proposal and include greater community benefit by potentially including visitor interpretation and wetland walkway. This will be a multi phased project as part of a wider Dunbeg Corridor development. Nature restoration 5 Oban Airport Peat mitigation and invasive species eradication. £50,000 The Oban Business Park is being redeveloped. There is a need to manage peat on site and deal with invasive species found on the site following detailed site investigation works. Nature restoration 6 Intervention on the public road network relating to invasive species eradication. £104,000 Nature restoration
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TOTAL £84,000 £355,000 £439,000