AN AWARD for improving Inverclyde's environment through peatland restoration sparked controversy at a council meeting.

The Cosla Excellence Award included the Duchal Moor peatland restoration, a three-year project in reducing carbon emissions, preventing flooding, and enhancing wildlife habitats.

The award was discussed at the Policy and Regeneration Committee this week.

Councillor David Wilson said: "I would like to address the Cosla Excellence Award. I was very pleased we we got it and I congratulate officers who got it.

"This was expenditure of £960,000 which did not come from our budget.

"I am quite sure if we had asked for it out of our budget, to spend £960,000 up on the moors above Kilmacolm and Greenock, I don't think we would have done it."

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But he added: "Our farmers for the last 200 years have looked after those moors put some drainage in themselves to assist with the growth of heather and grass there and put sheep on it.

"We've gone along with the peat restoration and simply destroyed any drainage they have done and will affect the ability to earn money in the future."

He added that peat grows at 1mm a year and in a world context, 'it was a pointless exercise'.

"I congratulate our staff on winning the award but we must be realistic," he added.

Stuart Jamieson said that as part of the council's Net Zero targets peat restoration was a key component and although there was funding from the Scottish Government there was an initial allocation from the council.

He said that whether the council won an award or not, peat restoration was important to off-set the council's carbon targets and the work was done in conjunction with farmers.

Councillor Paul Cassidy, vice-chair of environment and regeneration, said: "I spoke to to one of the tenant farmers and they were very happy at what has been done.

"I think this is a prime example of an excellent collaboration work and one of the many things our officers do and sometimes don't always get the praise for and it was good to see them getting this national recognition.

"We were up against other, bigger projects and it was good to see that we were punching above our weight."