Cruden Bay Community Action Plan May 2018

Introduction Community Action Plan

This is the new Community Action All the ideas in this booklet came Plan for the rural community of from the community. The table at the Cruden Bay. This plan replaces the back shows those ideas that can be last one published after consultations taken forward by the community on in 2007. It has been developed by its own, those which require help Buchan Development Partnership Ltd from an external partner and those which can only be taken forward by following a community engagement Harbour event held at the Village Hall on one or more external agencies, which Saturday 23rd September 2017. can provide moral, technical and possibly financial support. The event was attended by local Some projects may be completed residents and representatives of local quickly whilst others may take much community groups. During the day longer but all should be reviewed the attendees put forward many regularly to ensure that they are still ideas in six specific categories and relevant. the majority of these ideas have been It is important that this booklet is seen summarised into those listed in the by all interested parties, both within table at the end of this document. the local community and the other This information can now be used to partners that may be able to assist guide the community and the Com- with the implementation of any munity Planning Partners in compil- actions set out in the table. Flowers ing detailed action plans to take for- Buchan Development Partnership is ward the top priorities, as well as ad- one of the rural partnerships in dressing the other issues which have Aberdeenshire that assist in the been identified. For each priority, or delivery of the Community Action issue, this will involve agreeing who Plan initiatives which are sponsored needs to be involved, what resources by Aberdeenshire Community will be required and target dates set Planning Partnership. for completion. Boat Planter

History & Development Community Action Plan

Cruden Bay is a pretty coastal village In 1897 a branch line of the railway on the North East coast 24 miles opened from Ellon to Boddam with a North of Aberdeen and 9 miles south tramway spur taking visitors to the of Peterhead. grand “Cruden Bay Hotel”. The hotel The village has a small fishing brought grandeur, but not prosperity, to the village; despite Slains from Rocks harbour, good beaches and dunes, a championship golf course and is being promoted by the GNSR as the dominated by the ruins of Slains “Brighton of the North”. During the Castle as you approach from the Second World War the hotel was north and the Church of St James on requisitioned as an army hospital and demolished in the 1950s. Chapel Hill to the south of the village. The first written records of Cruden People visit Cruden Bay for many Bay dates from 1012 when the Scots different reasons but one of the and Danes engaged in a ferocious main attractions for visitors is the battle on the site of the village. Many golf course. Situated to the south of the village, the Cruden Bay Golf say that Cruden Bay received its name from the Gaelic phrase "Croch Dain" Club, designed by Tom Morris in which means "Slaughter of Danes". It 1899 and then re-designed by Tom was however only in the 1590s that Simpson and Herbert Fowler in 1926, the history of the village of Cruden features in the top rated 100 courses Bay had its start. This was related to of the World (currently 76). Slains Castle the construction of Slains Castle by The long sandy beach skirting the the Earl of Erroll as well as the estab- bay of Cruden Bay is accessed by a lishment of Port Erroll. The settlement Ladies foot bridge across the Water of Cruden Bay was formed just inland of Cruden. The beach has held from the Port of Erroll. Scotland’s Beach Awards status for Perched dramatically on a cliff edge, providing high standards to users Slains castle was built by the Earls of since 2010. Situated at the north end Errol around the late 16th century. of the bay is Port Erroll Harbour and This was modified and added to but salmon station. The harbour is used was virtually rebuilt in 1836. It was mainly by seasonal inshore here that in the late 19th century the fishermen and for recreational use. 19th Earl of Errol entertained many The harbour is currently in need of significant repairs and so a dignitaries including the author, Bram four-phase plan has been prepared Stoker, who is said to have been for the re-development of the inspired by the castle and village as a harbour as funding allows. setting when writing his novels – Slains Countryside View including Dracula. . However, eventually the Earl of Erroll could no longer afford to keep the castle and so it was sold and all that remains now are some dramatic and well photographed ruins.

History & Development Community Action Plan

The 1950s and 1960s was a period of Things we like about our rapid population decline for Cruden community……. Bay but the discovery of North Sea oil reinvigorated the village as jobs were “We are so lucky to have so many created and new families settled in stunning beach and coastline with the area. The population has interesting walks” Footbridge continued to rise with new housing added near the defunct brickworks, “Stunning beach and coast line with the site of the demolished Cruden interesting walks” Bay Hotel and along the water of

Cruden at Morrison Place. According “Cruden Bay has rich cultural to Aberdeenshire figures for 2012 the population of Cruden Bay was 1670. heritage we should ensure it is protected and promoted” Beach Cruden Bay has a medium sized primary school. Secondary pupils are “The village has lovely flower bussed to nearby Peterhead containers and planters throughout Academy. There are a few small summer months planted by shops, a chemist/newsagent, a post office/hardware, a craft shop and a volunteers” general store. There is also a Chinese takeaway, a medical surgery and a “The fairy project has community library. The village has two football support and we should keep some pitches located at opposite ends of elements of it in the village for local the village and a tennis court. The children” pitches and tennis courts continue to Flowers require a high level of upkeep to maintain their useability. The school and public hall house a number of youth groups. There is a Congregational Church in the village centre and just outside the village there is a Scottish Episcopalian Church and a Church of Scotland parish.

Puffins

Top Five Priorities Community Action Plan

The ideas put forward at the Like most communities, Cruden Bay community engagement event were residents identified “Action on dog grouped into seven categories. At fouling” as a major issue. Other than the event there were a number of this, the top five priorities to emerge issues/actions put forward that were from the community engagement similar. Where appropriate, these event were, in brief and in descending View over to Village have been grouped with their scores order:- into generic issues/actions. There were also a number of issues where 1. Reduce speeding and introduce the scores were very low and these traffic calming measures.

have been excluded from the final 2. Improve GP Surgery times/hours. plan. 3. Improvement and better use of community facilities. The seven categories for ideas were:- 4. Mapping of existing facilities. Buildings & the Physical 5. Wider promotion of groups and Environment activities.

Community Activities & Virtually all the ideas put forward have Learning been classified as either capable of being taken forward by the community Roads, Paths & Transportation themselves or progressed by the Harbour Road community in association with an Crime & Safety external partner or partners, or projects that can only be undertaken by Health & Housing external partners. Jobs & the Economy

Influence and Sense of Control

Garden Waste-Fly Tipping

Cruden Bay Community Action Plan

2018-2021

All the main issues that received £17,000 seed funding has been positive support are listed below allocated for play equipment and the under the seven category headings. Parents Council are in the process of A summarised Action Plan can be trying to raise funds to build play found on pages 10 and 11. equipment on the school premises. The CBCA is consulting with them

about taking a wider view and Village Hall Buildings and the Physical investing in upgrading the Mill Park Environment play area. Third Sector partners will be contacted to identify other suitable sources of funding and it has been Dog Fouling agreed in principal that Aberdeenshire Council will install the Ongoing problems with dog fouling equipment. Consultation with was the top priority for many people Landscape service will ensure the play attracting comments like “need more equipment has the best play value for bins” and “need a dog warden”. the cost and open discussions on its Residents will be consulted to ensure upkeep. bins are located in the right locations and consult with Aberdeenshire Brickworks Council regarding locations and their There is support in the community for maintenance. the area not to be developed as Village Hall housing and instead for it to become Mill Park Parking near the Village Hall was a a wildlife park with an observation problem that cannot be easily hide. Open discussions with the resolved but Aberdeenshire Council Landowner and consult with Rangers Roads Department have agreed to a Services designated disabled parking space. Fly tipping and Garden Waste Play Equipment disposal The condition of the play equipment There was strong feeling that a green throughout the village is very poor, skip or composter be installed in the the equipment is old, the playing village to save the residents from surfaces are grassed only and they travelling to Peterhead or Ellon to are unfenced. The play areas are all dispose of grass cuttings. Discussions quite unattractive. are on-going with Aberdeenshire council to try and find an appropriate solution to garden waste and fly Garden Waste-Fly Tipping tipping.

Cruden Bay Community Action Plan 2018-2021

Community Activities & Roads, Paths & Transportation Learning

Speeding – second top priority Lights Speeding issues have already been Pitch A bequest has been made to the addressed by the Community Council village which must be used towards consulting with Road Services resulting Ornamental light features. Fixed in the provision of Compulsory and installations could be sited either end Advisory 20mph road markings and of the village. Consult with signs on identified roads.

Aberdeenshire Council on suitable Bench halfway up Killie Brae type and appropriate location. There was a lot of support for a bench Pavilion and All-Weather Pitch and there is space for one at the top of the brae. Community Council will Making best use of local facilities was consult with Landscape Services. identified as a problem. Access to the pavilion and All-weather pitch Large Vehicles parking on pavements will be made easier by use of a new Thoughtless parking is causing a safety digital entry system. It was suggested hazard for local people. Residents will that extending and improving the highlight specific problem areas to be Path lighting would also get more groups addressed by local councillors at interested in using the facilities. Community Council meetings. They will CBCA will identify appropriate consult with the Road Department funding streams include Area inspectors about parking restrictions. Initiatives, Suez and North Connect. Paths for walking cycling between Local groups and after school clubs facilities Development of local groups was The Community Council have already being stifled due to lack of identified an appropriate route from volunteers and residents travelling to Aulton Road to Mill Park. clubs out with the village. The Bus services to Hatton for doctors community need to be prepared to appointments do something. It was suggested that There is no direct route to Hatton but seed funding from Community local people can get doctor’s Council and free training for groups appointments at the local surgery so from projects such Volunteers must establish how many people want Buchan and Active schools would this service / evidence the need before GP Surgery encourage volunteers to deliver approaching the bus forum. sports sessions etc in the village and would result in more involvement of young families and parents.

Cruden Bay Community Action Plan 2018-2021

Crime & Safety Jobs & the Economy

Neighbourhood Watch Team There was support for preserving the Heritage of Cruden Bay and the local There was no desire to take this Conservation Group events are well suggestion forward. attended. The history of Bram Stoker Poor police presence and heritage features could provide Heritage Event Although there was no big problems development opportunities around around crime, some of the tourism. CBCA and other interested community felt there was a need for group could start discussions with an allocated Officer that could be tourism organisations such as Visit identified as a link between the Scotland around opportunities and community and police services. funding. Consult with Buchan Safety Group.

Influence and Sense of Control Health & Housing

Funding for small groups Many funds require receipted invoices Better opening hours and Heritage Event before payment of funds this can be a appointment system for doctor’s real for groups wishing to develop surgery facilities or delivering activities. Future A CBCA appointee has been liaising projects to discuss with Aberdeen- with the Practice Manager and the shire Council and other funders stage situation has now improved. CBCA payments. Cash rich groups may keep will also discuss best use of the a watching brief and help out others facility to enable best use of money within There was a call for various health the village services and clinics in the village. It Community Map of Assets was suggested that the Community There was strong feeling that a green Association identify gaps in provision skip or composter be installed in the and improve links with services/ village to save the residents from agencies and contact the AVA travelling to Peterhead or Ellon to Community Health in Partnership dispose of grass cuttings. Discussions Pond (CHiP) Officer for signposting and are on-going with Aberdeenshire contact details of relevant agencies. council to try and find an appropriate solution to garden waste and fly tipping.

Action Plan Summary Community Action Plan

ExternalAgency

Brickworks Restrictions Parking Enforce

Partnership

play equipment. play Dog fouling /bins wastefouling more Dog equipment. playfor Funding adviceandon Maintenance adviceon Services Rangers Brickworks WasteGardenof Disposal Feature Light Ornamental projects for Funding of services/ database Library activities Brae. Killieoftopthe at Bench vehicles with large Problems parking

Independent

Install new digital lock new digital Install needadditionalfor Evidence services bus

Action

Buildings and the Physical Physical the and Buildings Environment and Activities Commmunity Learning Transportation and Paths Roads, 10

Action Plan Summary Community Action Plan

ExternalAgency

Increase police/community Increase inthevillage. presence warden

info sessions for for sessions info

–

Partnership

Watching Brief for groups groups for Brief Watching at the Surgery Services Signposting staff tourismandheritage Promote aspects. location gaps/ identify officer CHiP links create

Independent

Showcase agencies at local local at agencies Showcase event.

Action

Influence and Sense of Control Control of Sense and Influence Crime and Safety Safety and Crime Housing and Health Economy the and Jobs 11

Community Action Plan

Thanks are due to Cruden Bay Community Association for their help in organising the community engagement and prioritisation events . Cover Photographs courtesy of

Elizabeth Penny.

Images supplied by Elizabeth Penny and Stewart Paul.

Buchan Development Partnership Area Office • Nethermuir Road • Maud

Creative Agency Agency Creative Peterhead • AB42 4ND

Telephone: 01771 613 584 • Email: [email protected]

Art Jax by Design by by Design www.ouraberdeenshire.org.uk 12