Peterhead SNP councillors Leeann McWhinnie and Stephen Smith have welcomed additional funding of £50m for refurbishing local authority play parks across Scotland.

The additional £50 million of funds will be allocated over three years on the following basis: 2023-24 - £10 million; 2024-25 - £15 million; 2025-26 - £25 million.

The Scottish Government committed to investing £60m over the course of the Parliament for investment in Scotland’s play parks and has already delivered £10m of that funding in 2021 and 2022.

Aberdeenshire Council is set to receive a total of £3,683,000 as part of its share of the £60m investment, with £616,000 allocated to Aberdeenshire for this financial year.

Welcoming this investment, Cllr McWhinnie said: “Our local playparks are vitally important for the development and wellbeing of children and are appreciated by parents.

“I’m delighted that the North-east is set to benefit from this investment by the Scottish Government in Scotland’s play parks and I look forward to hearing more about how our councils intend to use this funding to benefit children and communities across North-east.”

Cllr Smith added: “Play areas are a great asset to the community and with this funding from the Scottish Government, I hope we can see the addition of more accessible play equipment such as those at Aden Country Park, which have proved hugely popular.”

Peterhead councillors hail Scottish Government funding for play parks