Plans drawn up to transform 'eyesore' site in Aviemore village centre
It is early days but there are hopes that one of the last remaining eyesores in Aviemore can be improved.
ACE (Aviemore Community Enterprise Ltd) hopes to upgrade the strip of land to the east of the village’s retail park by Grampian Road.
It is understood the site is controlled by the owners of the Aviemore Retail Park and the Winking Owl bar.
ACE has received grant funding from Highland Council to commission some design work and five proposed options to transform the site will go on show at The Hub next Friday (October 21) from 4pm to 7pm.
Kathleen Cameron, ACE chairwoman, said: “There is a real opportunity to transform this site. We hope to develop a proposal that everyone can support.”
ACE director Peter Long commented: “The area is a bit of an eyesore at the moment. It’s in a great location, and it could be so much better.
“We’d love to see it improved.”
Any project would require the consent of the landowners.
ACE commissioned RaeburnFarquharBowen landscape architects in the summer to consider options for landscape improvements for the ‘undervalued amenity space’.
The 18-page report states: “The space offers the potential for a more informal, lushly planted garden space, that is protected from the road and offers longer distance views to the surrounding hills and mountains.
“RaeburnFarquharBowen have been commissioned to develop ideas for a landscape scheme that will provide environmental improvements to this area, prevent adhoc car parking, be low maintenance but enhance the visual appearance and increase use overall.
“It will provide improved biodiversity and be an additional place for visitors and locals alike to dwell.”
