Our Chance to Map Stonehaven’s Future

News

By bellmannews / November 7, 2023

FOR the first time, Stonehaven residents can pro-actively influence future development in the town – as a consultation gets under way to produce a Local Place Plan.

Local Place Plans are a key element of the Scottish Government’s new planning system, giving communities the right to map their preferred development and growth. They also give locals a say in community projects they want undertaken, or the use or preservation or buildings and land they value.

Once Local Place Plans have been registered, the Council is required by law to take them into consideration when updating its Local Development Plan.

Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because, and only when, they are created by everybody – Jane Jacobs

What would be your vision for Stonehaven?

This week, leaflets are being posted through letterboxes across the town, giving information about the consultation – and links to a website prepared by Stonehaven and District Community council who are leading the project.

An online questionnaire is available for submitting responses – but for those who would like more input before completing it, two public sessions will give locals a chance to ask questions and, if preferred, get help to fill out the online form.

The first session takes place in Stonehaven Town Hall on Saturday November 18 from 10am to 2pm and the second at Mackie Academy of Saturday December 9 from 10am to 2pm.

Take part in a pro-active exercise

While the consultation is being led by Stonehaven and District Community Council, they extended an invitation to any member of the community to assist.

Planning professional Pippa Robertson is one of the volunteers pitching in to help.

She said: ”I personally see Local Place Plans as a game-changer in terms of inviting us to put forward our own positive vision of what development we want to see where, and to take a pro-active role in planning the places in which we live, rather than only ever reacting (often negatively) to proposals put forward by others.”

Local Place Plans offer the opportunity for a community-led, collaborative approach to creating great local places – Scottish Government