With the draft of the Whithorn Place Plan completed in 2024, we’ve been working to finalise the document through engagement with the respective teams at Dumfries and Galloway Council, and the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal. As part of this process to ensure we make the most out of any potential funding that could be received, and that we meet the requirements of Borderlands, we now need some more detail on potential capital projects which could fulfil the community ambitions that have been highlighted in The Whithorn Place Plan Draft.

To facilitate this, we are launching an additional, two part ‘Expression of Interest’ process, which is open for all members of the community to propose capital projects for consideration. This process begins on 15th January 2025, with the first Expression of Interest form available to download from the 'Get involved!' section of this website. We ask that you return this completed form to us at whithornplaceplan@new-practice.co.uk before 10am on 4th February 2025 (this is replacing the previous deadline of 5pm on 31st January 2025, due to storm Eowyn).

The first Expression of Interest is calling for new capital projects which fall under the initiatives prioritised by the community within The Whithorn Place Plan Draft, and align to the Borderlands funding criteria. This information is available on the Expression of Interest (Stage 1) form.

We want this to be a fair and straightforward process that everyone in Whithorn can get involved in, should they wish to. The information we’re asking for in the Expression of Interest process is phased across two stages, to ensure that everyone has enough time to prepare their proposal. The first stage seeks initial information to help us understand the applicability of projects.

Due to the finite funding available as part of the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal, not every proposal will be able to be carried forward. As such, there will be a selection process; the second stage gives us further detail required to assess their feasibility for funding. Depending on the number of submissions we receive, there may be a need for an additional public ranking and evaluation process to help determine which projects are submitted to Borderlands to be considered for Capital Funding. Please see the flow chart below which describes the process.

We ask that you share this update with your friends, neighbours and community networks, and encourage all to get involved.

Alongside the potential capital funding available from Borderlands Place Programme, there is also now potential funding for capital projects within the Borderlands Energy Investment Programme. This is a separate fund and set of criteria  relating to projects on energy and carbon reduction. There is a large minimum capital project cost of £1.5 million required to be eligible.

If you have a capital energy/ carbon reduction project in mind please indicate this on your Expression of Interest (Stage 1) form, so that we can consider it within the context of the wider Whithorn Place Plan and discuss with you how best to apply for this new fund.

Follow the link for more information on this: https://www.borderlandsgrowth.com/borderlands-energy-investment-programme-eoi

Please be aware, on this website linked above you will find a different Expression of Interest Form which will allow you to submit directly to the Borderlands Energy Investment Programme. We recommend you submit your idea to us via the Expression of Interest Form available on our website so we can support you in getting maximum benefit from both funds if possible.

A capital project is usually a large, longer-term project, with significant investment that concerns the improvement of an asset, i.e. property or land. The majority are usually construction projects and are long term investments.