by Helen MacNee
A Mearns village created out of a former RAF base has been given a boost with a grant of over £7000 to help avert a potential disaster at its sewage works.
Edzell Woods was created after the Americans pulled out of the RAF base, leaving empty the houses built as staff accommodation.
The community is unusual in that, as an unenviable result of the sale by the Ministry of Defence, it remains classified as a private estate — leaving the householders themselves responsible for the infrastructure.
A particular concern for residents is the ageing sewage plant which is taking in excess clean water from a mystery source, leading to a potential flood risk.
The grant from the LEADER rural development programme will enable the community to take professional advice to try to avert disaster.
Chairwoman of the Edzell Woods Owners Group Linda Wilson said, “We are extremely grateful to receive this funding which will go towards a feasibility study which will help the community develop a system to manage its infrastructure more effectively.
“Edzell Woods is a good place to live with wonderful safe open spaces and a number of people who voluntarily give time and effort to help maintain the estate and run social events throughout the year which make us a true community.”
Ten projects in Aberdeenshire will benefit from a total of £320,000 allocated in the latest round of grants from the LEADER fund.
They include an award of £26,000 for a programme to help promote farmers’ and community markets in the shire and grants to a range of visitor attractions throughout the area.
Aberdeenshire Farmers and Community Markets Association chairman Kenny Groat said, “This is excellent news for the farmers’ markets of the north-east.
“It is a great achievement to bring together all the north-east farmers’ markets to collaborate the marketing efforts and increase the awareness of the benefits that the markets have to offer to the general public.
“I hope this will strengthen the producer and customer link and allow farmers’ markets to continue to grow.
“This should offer the chance for more producers to get out and sell their own produce direct.”
LEADER co-ordinator Vicky Thomson said, “There has been a lot of activity in recent months, with many projects under way or at completion stage.
“The tangible benefit of LEADER funding is becoming evident across Aberdeenshire with a number of community projects and community facilities now up and running.”
New applications for the next round of LEADER awards are now being processed and the closing date is Wednesday, October 27.
This article is reposted from The Courier and Advertiser.