Cairngorms National Park Authority looks to broaden its horizons
The Cairngorms National Park Authority will be hosting drop-in sessions in different communities through-out this month to let people know more about a big money project.
Residents and businesses are being encouraged to drop-in to find out more about the Heritage Horizons: Cairngorms 2030 programme – a combined package worth £50m – and its suite of 24 projects and give their thoughts on the programme’s plans during this development stage.
A CNPA spokeswoman said: "The drop-in sessions are the latest community engagement activities to be hosted in the national park following a number of online and in-person activities that have taken place over the past few months.
"These sessions will showcase some of the work the CNPA hopes to develop through the Heritage Horizons: Cairngorms 2030 programme, and crucially, will provide feedback from people in park communities that can then be acted upon."
Dates have been set for the following drop-in sessions:
• Nethy Bridge Community Hall – Tuesday 4 October – 12.30pm-5pm (including a walk at 4pm from the hall to discuss some of the ideas stemming from the recent Active Travel consultation);
• Braemar Village Hall – Wednesday 5 October – 12.30pm-7.30pm;
• Blair Atholl – Tuesday 25 October – time to be confirmed.
CNPA chief executive Grant Moir said: “The majority of the Heritage Horizons: Cairngorms 2030 programme’s projects are community-centred and will put the power of change into the hands of the people who live and work here, benefitting people’s health and wellbeing, delivering on climate change and enhancing nature across the national park.
“Getting out into communities and making it as easy as possible for people to find out how the Heritage Horizons: Cairngorms 2030 programme affects them, how they can get involved, and providing the opportunity for people to ask questions on topics such as plans for better active travel and transport, a wellbeing economy and addressing the climate crisis is critical to the project’s success.
"We hope that as many people as possible attend the drop-in sessions so that ultimately, we can achieve a national park that works for all.”
The drop-in sessions will focus on some key areas including active travel and sustainable transport, looking at how the park can be more walking, cycling and wheelchair friendly – and what needs to change in our communities to make that possible.
A CNPA spokeswoman said: "The climate crisis impacts us all and there are already communities coming together to see what they can do collectively to become more climate resilient.
"As part of the drop-in sessions, there will be a variety of workshops available to explore what could be possible within local areas to tackle the climate crisis, changes in local landscapes and to discuss what a wellbeing economy may look like for the national park.
"There will also be an opportunity to look at the volunteer ranger service and what benefits it has for local areas in the national park."
The Heritage Horizons: Cairngorms 2030 programme is supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
About Heritage Horizons: Cairngorms 2030
Inspired by the Gaelic word Dùthchas – meaning the deep-rooted connection between people and nature – Heritage Horizons: Cairngorms 2030 is putting the power to tackle the climate and nature crises in the hands of people who live, visit and work in the UK’s largest national park.
The programme will put local people at the heart of decision-making; work with land managers to restore and enhance landscapes; make getting around the park easier, safer, and greener; and foster healthier, happier communities with wellbeing at their heart.
Heritage Horizons is a partnership of over 45 organisations and more details can be found here
