Gardenstown & Community Action Plan June 2014 Location Map Community Action Plan Introduction Community Action Plan

This is the new Community Action All the ideas in this booklet came from Plan for the coastal communities of the community. The table at the back & Crovie. It has been shows those ideas that can be taken developed by Partnership forward by the community on its own, Ltd following a community engagement those which require help from an event held at the Dreel Hall on external partner and those which can Thursday 13th March 2014. only be taken forward by one or more external agencies, which can provide The event was attended by individual moral, technical and possibly financial View of Gardenstown from St John’s Kirkyard. local residents and representatives support. of local community groups. Local councillors and officials from It is recommended that this Action Council were also Plan has a maximum lifespan of three present as observers. years. Some projects may be completed quickly whist others may take much During the evening the residents and longer but all should be reviewed community group representatives regularly to ensure that they are still put forward many ideas in 6 specific relevant. categories and the vast majority of these ideas have been distilled into It is important that this booklet is seen those listed in the table at the end of by all interested parties, both within this document. the local community and the other partners that may be able to assist with This information can now be used the implementation of any actions set to guide the community and the out in the table. Community Planning Partners in compiling detailed action plans to take Banffshire Partnership Ltd is one forward the top priorities, as well as of a number of rural partnerships addressing the other issues which have in Aberdeenshire that run the Crovie. been identified. Community Action Plan initiatives which are sponsored by Aberdeenshire For each priority, or issue, this will Community Planning Partnership involve agreeing who needs to be involved, what resources will be required and target dates set for completion.

Poster & Flyer for event.

2 3 History & Development Community Action Plan Top Seven Priorities Community Action Plan

The coastal communities of Gardenstown grew at Crovie’s expense The ideas put forward at the The top seven issues are in the Gardenstown (Gamrie) and Crovie after the great storm of 31 January community engagement event were categories of being taken forward (pronounced “Crivie”) have a long 1953. This washed away the path grouped into six categories. These are either with an external partner or history. They lie some seven miles to between the villages together with listed below together with the number solely by an external agency and are as the east of Banff and Macduff and are stretches of Crovie’s sea defences and of “ideas” for each shown in brackets:- follows :- situated on the Moray Firth. a number of houses and sheds. Buildings & The Physical Projects which will require Gardenstown was founded in 1720 Crovie ceased to be a viable Environment (33) action by an outside agency: Gardenstown c. 1900s. by Alexander Garden, specifically as a community almost immediately and Community Activities (14) Sea wall at Seatown. fishing village and was originally known many of the residents moved to Roads, Paths & Transportation (13) The number one priority issue raised as Gamrie. Gardenstown. The total population Crime & Safety (8) was to improve the flood protection today numbers just over 700. Health & Housing (4) of houses in Seatown and at the New On the hillside to the west and visible Jobs & The Economy (4) Ground along with repairs to the from most parts of Gardenstown, are Today, the harbour offers a safe haven seawall. (Category - Buildings & The the remains of the Church of St John for small inshore fishing boats, as well The top seven priorities to emerge Physical Environment) the Evangelist. This predates the village, as pleasure craft. Other facilities in the from the community engagement event being built in 1513, and celebrates an village include a doctors’ surgery, the were, in brief and in descending order:- Also in this section was the second even earlier event, the defeat of the primary school, the post office in the most important issue raised. This was Danes here in 1004 at The Battle of the general store & petrol station, a hotel Improve flood protection to repair paths and steps, especially Bloody Pits. and the Public (Dreel) Hall. Repair paths those on Quarry Brae and the path Renovate or demolish the old to Crovie. (Category - Roads, Paths & The picturesque harbour was once Also in the village is a heritage centre toilet on the brae Transportation) home to a busy salmon and herring and there are numerous self-catering Stop dog fouling fleet with a peak of 92 boats operating cottages and some bed & breakfast Safeguard doctor’s surgery The fifth most important issue related from the harbour in 1900. Main Street accommodation. Removal of old buildings to the doctor’s surgery. There is a was the commercial heart of the Encourage new shops and concern that this might close. There is village, and many small shops operated There are a number of community businesses also a desire for the surgery hours to elsewhere from individual houses. The organisations working together to take be changed to be more accommodative Damage caused by the storm in January 1953. Church of dates from 1899 forward the ideas in this booklet either Virtually all the ideas put forward have for residents who live in the village but Damage to sea wall at New Ground. and replaced an earlier one built in independently or with assistance from been classified as either capable of work outwith it. (Category - Health & 1856. external partners :- being taken forward by the community Housing) themselves, or progressed by the By the 1920’s Gardenstown and Crovie King Edward & Gamrie Community community in association with an Projects which will require together housed around 250 fishermen Council external partner or partners, or action by the community in and 50 fishing boats. This number Gardenstown Village Action Committee projects that can only be undertaken association with an external declined over the following years in the Gardenstown Harbour Trustees by external partners. partner: face of competition from newer, larger The Dreel Hall Committee and more efficient vessels that could The third most important issue only operate from larger ports. concerned the old toilet block on the brae. It has been closed for some time and is regarded as an eyesore. The suggestion is to either renovate it or demolish it. (Category - Buildings & The Physical Environment)

Harbour. Old toilet block on the brae.

4 5 Top Seven Priorities Community Action Plan Other Issues Community Action Plan

The fourth most important issue was At the other end of the scale there Many other issues received positive Roads, Paths &Transportation a common one in communities - stop were five “ideas” that received support and these are listed below dog fouling. In this case it is linked with substantial negative votes. These are :- under the six category headings Projects which will require a request to introduce a dog warden. action by the community in (Category - Buildings & The Physical • Feeding programme for wild birds Community Activities association with an external Environment) • Introduction of yellow parking partner: lines, parking areas & traffic calming Projects which the community The sixth highest priority also relates measures can take forward independently: There are only two ideas in this Dual bin and sign at the harbour. to the physical look in the village. • Banning jet skis section:- Dreel Hall. Specifically there is a desire to remove • A review of the need for there to Most of the suggestions for • Replace/repair the older railings in old garages, derelict buildings at the be so much street lighting independent community action came in the village New Ground and “Durham Jail”. • Introduction of traffic wardens this category - 11 with a positive score. • Arrange for the school bus to pick- (Category - Buildings & The Physical up pupils from the bottom of the Environment) The top scoring suggestion in this road category came in at number nine and The seventh most important issue was for the provision of a local gym Projects which will require is also in the section and this is to and café. action by an external agency: encourage new shops and businesses to set up in the village. (Category - Jobs Other ideas were associated with Repair potholes and resurface the & the Economy) activities in the Dreel Hall such as:- roads were a strong contender for • Create a community café priority and came in at number eight in • Erect an information/notice board the overall score list. showing what activities are on and when. Other suggested ideas are:- The second most popular suggestion • Create a safe path to the top of the in this category was to revamp the village from the bottom of the brae heritage centre and change the opening • Improve the poor bus service hours. This suggestion came in at • Lay non-slip tarmac at the bog area “Durham Jail”. number 11 on the overall scoring list. • Create better and safer access to Damaged railings. the beach Other suggestions were • Stop water flowing across the main • Organise ceilidhs or country road between the hall & the bog. dancing This freezes in the winter. • More youth club/group activities • Install bus shelters at the Bog/ • More activities for the elderly. Braehead/Main Street • Establish an Astroturf / all weather • Improve the bus turning area sports facility. • Introduce guided walks in the area • Establish an arts and crafts exhibition

Projects which will require action by the community in association with an external partner:

There were three ideas in this section:- • School & playgroups to stay open • Provide more tourist signage in the Old garages. Braehead corner/bog area. village. • Apply for a rural beach award

6 7 Other Issues Community Action Plan Other Issues Community Action Plan

Health & Housing Crime & Safety Buildings & The Physical • Tidy up the garages across from the Environment Dreel Hall Projects which will require Projects which will require • Provide an ice machine for harbour action by the community in action by the community in Projects which could be users association with an external association with an external undertaken by the community • Establish regular checks for rock partner: partner: independently: falls and landslips • Protect the electricity and water One suggestion came in this section:- The first is a familiar theme - introduce There were four ideas in this section facilities under Seatown Road Unsafe, unpainted railing plinths. • Provide dog poop bag dispensers a community police officer and to hold • Clean up the beach • Review rubbish collection schedule Skip/recycling area. regular surgeries with • Tidy up the area along the Main to stop bags being dumped prior to Projects which will require action by an representatives. Street to the harbour collection. external agency: • Provide picnic tables at the New • Provide more litter bins on Other suggestions are:- Ground lampposts throughout the village There was only on suggestion in this • Paint the safety barriers plinths • Provide a bench at the end of • Replace the decorative stones at section:- • Implement measures to reduce Seatown the Seatown water plant • Create more affordable housing speeding at the harbour, the school • Provide winter lighting at the skip and the New Ground possible using Projects which will require area CCTV. action by the community in • Establish a safe cycle route to association with an external Jobs & The Economy school partner: Projects which will require There were many suggestions in action by the community in this section mostly to do with the association with an external appearance of the village:- partner: • Tidy up and repair the skip/ recycling area and the New Ground Outside one idea in the top seven • Renovate/extend the Dreel hall there were two other suggestions • Clean up the site of the old car here:- Bus Shelter at Garden Crescent. garage at the harbour • Support local businesses Site of old car garage at the harbour. • Tidy up vacant properties • Improve relations with tourist • Screen new bins agencies • Upgrade the west pier for easier access to pleasure boats Projects which will require • Cut the grass around the paths action by an external agency: • Landscape the area around the top bus shelter There was only one suggestion here • Instigate weed-killing at the bottom which was to provide more support for of the village business start-ups. • Build new store houses in the village • Provide an allotment site or sites in the village

Projects which will require action by an external agency:

Again there were many suggestions in this section:-

Decorative stones at Seatown water plant. • Repair/revamp the seawall from Damage to Sneuk Path from Gardenstown to Crovie. Gamrie to Crovie

8 9 Action Plan Summary Community Action Plan Action Plan Summary Community Action Plan

areas Street External Agency External Quarry especially Brae and Repair paths, the path to Crovie roads Repair potholes and resurface path to the top of a safe Create the bottom of brae village from the poor bus service servingImprove the non-slip tarmac at the bog area Lay access to the better and safer Create Stop water flowing across the main road the main across Stop water flowing This the hall and bog. between in winter. freezes Install bus shelters at the Bog/Braehead/ Improve the bus turning areas Improve surgery and Retain the local doctor’s surgery opening times review housing affordable more Create the inadequate parking at Improve church of the houses flood protection Improve and Ground and at the New in Seatown instigate sea wall repairs Gamrie from the seawall Repair/revamp to Crovie the from Tidy up the garages across hall Dreel and rockfalls checks for Establish regular landslips facilities water and electricity the Protect under Seatown Road under Seatown the rubbish collection schedule Review to stop bags being dumped prior collection litter bins on lampposts more Provide the village throughout stones at Seatown Replace decorative water plant winter lighting at the skip area Provide support business start-ups for More

Partnership open to stay School and playgroups tourist signage in the village more Provide a rural beach award for Apply the older railings in Replace/repair village the school bus to pick-up for Arrange the bottom of road pupils from

dog poop bag dispensers Provide at the bottom of a playpark Create path to the a safe village and create at the top of village playpark police officer and a community Introduce Scotland surgeries with Police regular representatives plinths barrier Paint safety speeding to reduce Implement measures the school and New at the harbour, using CCTV cameras possibly Ground to the school Establish a cycle route the old toilet on or remove Renovate the brae a dog and introduce Stop dog fouling warden buildings old garages and derelict Remove “Durham Jail” and Ground at the New area the skip/recycling Tidy up and repair Ground and the New hall the Dreel Renovate/extend Clean up the site at the end of Harbour Lane Tidy up vacant properties bins the new Screen easy access pier for Upgrade the west boats to pleasure the paths Cut the grass around the top around the area Landscape bus shelter killing at the bottom of Instigate weed the village houses in the village store Build new an allotment at a site to be Provide identified in the village shops and businesses Encourage new Support existing local businesses with tourist agencies relations Improve Independent gym facilities and café Provide and change the heritage centre Revamp the opening hours club activities youth more Create Astroturf/all-weather Provide sports facilities hall café in the Dreel a community Create the elderly activities for more Create the area guided walks around Provide making the most of scenery and wildlife Organise ceilidhs and country dancing in the hall for boards notice/information Provide at the hall events artsEstablish an annual and crafts exhibition groups activities for Establish more

Clean up the beach along the Main Street Tidy up the area to the Harbour Ground picnic tables at the New Provide a bench at the end of Seatown Provide the harbour an ice machine for Provide users

Environment 1. Activities 1. Community Transportation & Paths Roads, 2. village beach Main 3. Health & Housing Health & 3. The Physical Buildings & 5. The Economy & Jobs 6.

Crime & Safety 4.

10 11 Making It Real CommunityCommunity Action Action Plan Plan

This booklet is one of a series This information can now guide It is important that this booklet produced by Local Rural the community and Community is seen by all concerned as an Partnerships for a number of Planning Partners in drawing account of the community’s communities in Aberdeenshire. up detailed action plans to views at the time of the latest implement the top priorities consultation, and that it will have This initiative is sponsored by as well as addressing the to be regularly reviewed and Aberdeenshire Community other issues which have been updated. As some projects are Planning Partnership and run identified. For each priority or completed, other issues will arise by Aberdeenshire Local Rural issue this will involve agreeing and take their place in future Partnerships. The aim is to who should be involved, what versions of the community plan. provide community action plans resources will be needed and in an attractive, easy to read, target dates for completion. It is We recommend that this Plan professionally printed format. hoped that this process will be has a maximum life of three driven by representatives of the years. community with support - moral, technical and financial - from the relevant Partners.

Thanks are due to the King Edward & Gamrie Community Council, Gardenstown Village Action Committee, Gardenstown Harbour Trustees and The Dreel Hall Committee for organising the community engagement event and providing background information on the community.

June 2014 Photos: Kay Beaton, Andy Sturdy, Gamrie Heritage Centre. Andy Sturdy, Kay Beaton, June 2014 Photos: Banffshire Partnership Developing Communities The Old School • • Banff • AB45 2JT T & F: 01261 843598 • E: [email protected]

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