Thanks to generous support from Ayrshire LEADER, the East Ayrshire Coalfield Environment Initiative (CEI) is able to provide £120,000 to fund path improvements in the area.  Additional welcome support of £25,000 from the Cumnock & Doon Valley Minerals Trust will enable CEI to deliver interpretation and facilities along the network. 

The aim of the project is to create a network of accessible, good-quality paths that will enable both the local community and tourists to see the best of New Cumnock and the beautiful countryside around it, as well as providing information about the heritage and wildlife in the area. This should boost tourism to the area, improve recreational access for members of the local community, and provide the opportunity for volunteers to learn new skills.

If you are a landowner and feel that you have a path on your land that can be improved for the benefit of the area, or you are a member of the community with a desire to see one of your favourite paths improved with a grant, please contact the CEI Project Officer, Sarah Sall, on 07810 831394 or at sarah.sall@ea-cei.org.uk to arrange a site visit and discuss potential paths to be improved.

The CEI is providing a simple application process for applicants (landowners or otherwise) to receive payment for improvements and creation of access structures (i.e. paths and associated features) with benefits to both wildlife and the local community. Applicants may apply for a grant which can cover up to 100% of the costs incurred, or any part of the total cost.

Please note that it is not possible to award grants for paths already receiving SRDP funding or to match fund SRDP applications. However, you can still apply if you have an SRDP contract for your land, as long as this does not include the path in question. This grant system is competitive, and applications with match funding (other than SRDP) will be considered favourably. Please note that re-application is possible if your first application is declined, and the CEI will provide assistance with improving your application for re-submission, if appropriate.

The application form is to be completed following a site visit by the CEI Project Officer Liam Plummer and/or Project Manager Natalie Fleming, who will discuss ideas for the path improvements and associated features with you. Where possible, opportunities for improvements that can be made for wildlife and possible opportunities for the CEI to do some work with local volunteers will be discussed.

Award of funding will be conditional on agreement of the specifications of paths, associated features and biodiversity enhancements and confirmation by the applicant of appropriate insurance cover, land ownership and a CEI Agreement. Payment will be made on receipt of all invoices and following a satisfactory site visit by the CEI after completion of the work.

Decision making following your application

Decisions on whether your application will be successful, and on whether 100% of costs will be covered if applied for, will be made by the CEI Steering Group. The Group meets on a monthly basis and includes a representative from ATH Resources, East Ayrshire Council, East Ayrshire Woodlands, Forestry Commission Scotland, RSPB Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage, Scottish Resources Group and Scottish Wildlife Trust. The group members have experience of land management, path construction, maintenance and administering other funding for access and biodiversity projects (e.g. SRDP). Decisions will be made within three months or less of your application being submitted.
Decisions for 2011 will be made at the Group’s July and October meetings; therefore, the deadline for application is the end of June and September respectively, which will require you to contact the CEI by the end of May and August respectively (to allow enough time to complete the application).

Feasibility Study

In 2010, a feasibility study was produced with a map identifying possible paths that would be suitable for this project.  Please note that even if your path does not constitute part of one identified on the map it does not exclude you from a grant; as long as you can justify the benefits of upgrading or installing a path on your land then your application will be considered.

Download an information and application pack