Local MSP John Lamont has welcomed news that a new Jim Clark Museum in Duns has received planning permission and funding from Scottish Borders Council.
The £1.65m scheme has been given subject to work starting in the next three years. It is hoped that the development will be finished by 2018, the 50th anniversary of Clark’s death on the Hockenheim racing track in Germany.
Scottish Borders Council has agreed to provide £620,000 towards the museum, with a similar amount being sought from the Heritage Lottery Fund. A crowfunding campaign has been launched to meet the shortfall, with a target of £300,000 being sought.
John Lamont MSP said: “The new Jim Clark Museum has fantastic potential to bring visitors in to Duns and Berwickshire and I’m therefore pleased it has received planning permission.
“I understand the museum, as well as drawing in thousands of visitors, will look to provide apprenticeships which will be a great community benefit.
“As one of the greatest racing drivers of all time, it is absolutely fitting that we pay tribute to Jim Clark, who is one of the Borders most famous names.
“A lot of work is going in to raising the money needed to complete the project and I hope the motorsports community and local residents can get behind the museum.”
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Notes to Editors
The crowdfunding page for the museum can be found here:
http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/jim-clark-museum