Grantown Compass regeneration project off to impressive start with series of events
SPREAD over three days and three venues, Grantown’s regeneration project, the “Grantown Compass” got off to an impressive start over the weekend.
The events, initiated by The Grantown Society, were actively backed by the Grantown-on-Spey and Vicinity Council, The Scottish Civic Trust and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.
Strong support was also voiced by Scotland’s Towns Partnership, Development Trust Association Scotland, MPs and MSPs. Although he couldn’t be present, Drew Hendry wrote: “It really does sound like a fantastic initiative”.
The theme was simply, “answers on a postcard please” as a way of eliciting community ideas on how the town can be improved for residents, businesses and visitors. As starting points there were some 20 questions covering four major themes, supported by a great deal of visual evidence.
On display, also, were plans for “Rails to Grantown”, the Grantown Community Centre, the Health Centre and the Ian Charles, the cycle route from Dulnain to Grantown and the newly adopted Grantown Conservation Area.
"We're so impressed by the level of interest and the input of the community," said Elaine Robertson, of the Scottish Civic Trust. "There has been so much work done here and it says much for the love and care the people have for their town. We're sure there is so much more that will be achieved, especially through really well thought-out and helpful initiatives like this one. We wish it well and we're here to help."
So was Paul Harrington, whose Scottish Land Fund has the little matter of £100m at its disposal to share with communities who come up with great ideas on local community land and building ownership.
"It's great being here and we are hearing lots of good things," he told the the Strathy after meeting with the initial visitors to the community centre. "I am basically telling people a million pounds would go a long way in Grantown and district..."
In fact, a few thousand wouldn't be a bad idea, said Andrew McCracken. While he was there essentially to put Grantown "back on the rails" with the ambitious steam railway project, he also had plenty to say on the need for allotments in the Strathspey capital.
"Unlike many other councils, Highland Council doesn't respond proactively to the local demand," he rued. "While it says it will make council land available it expects those who want allotments to do everything else for themselves – not just manage their site once it's up and running but identify, finance and develop it in the first place."
The Willow Tree Allotments Association has identified a site behind Grant House and secured permission to go ahead last year, but needs £12,000 which won't come from the council despite its earlier promise now it has scrapped discretionary budgets.
"We have been turned down by everyone. Elsewhere in the Highlands planning gain can be a source of alternative funding but here the national park's planning gain policies have closed even that route to us.
"But the benefits of allotments are so great that there's no way we will stop campaigning."
Many other community needs were over the weekend, with further sessions on Saturday, at the British Legion rooms, and Sunday at the Grant Arms Hotel.
An active map of the Square offered the opportunity to propose and discuss possible solutions to parking and creating a more cyclist and pedestrian friendly environment.
A great deal of interest and positive discussion along with numerous very positive ideas and solutions.
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Bill Sadler commented: “The event demonstrated the wealth of ideas within the community and an enthusiasm for sharing plans and creating a comprehensive design for Grantown’s future.
“This is, of course, just the start of the project and we should be spurred on by the thought that there could be at least eight empty shops and businesses on the High Street by the end of this summer!”
The Grantown Society was "extremely grateful" to all those who took part and to the Community Centre, The British Legion and the Grant Arms for their hospitality, he said.
Further copies of the themes and questions can be accessed and further comments and suggestions submitted by emailing info@thegrantownsociety.org