COMMUNITY ACTION PLAN 2015-2020 Croftamie Community Action Plan 2015-2020

This Action Plan sets out the hopes and aspirations of those who live and Our Community Our Voice work in the community of Croftamie. Consultation is at the very heart of this Community Action Plan. Every one of the community’s 139 households, whether 139 located inside or outwith the village itself, Distributed to Every received a printed questionnaire and was Everyone who has a stake in Croftamie and offered the option to complete an online its future has been asked to outline what they version if they preferred. Businesses were Household like best about living in this community, and offered the chance to meet and discuss what might help make it a better place to their views on Croftamie’s strengths and visit, and to live and work in. the challenges it faces. Their responses were gathered via The survey and interview process resulted householder surveys, interviews with business in a clear set of findings that threw the key and community leaders, and an open event. issues facing the community into sharp 70 The survey results reveal a community that focus. These findings were then presented values its sense of neighbourliness and its rural at a well-attended community open day, PEOPLE VISITED setting. However they also show widespread held at Croftamie Nursery in June 2015, concern for the village’s future development, where there was a further opportunity for OUR STAND AT THE and its connectivity with neighbouring residents to comment on the findings and villages and the wider world. refine them still further. COMMUNITY OPEN DAY This third edition of the Croftamie Community All of the information from the surveys, Action Plan charts progress against objectives interviews and the open day was collated identified in earlier plans, and seeks to and analysed by Community Agent Chris re-focus efforts to best meet the current Townsend. The themes and priorities ambitions of the community. which the community will focus on over stakeholder the next five years are the ones identified in this process. 5INTERVIEWS Thanks to everyone who participated

2 | COMMunity Action Plan 2015 - 2020 Croftamie | 3 Our Community Now

This is a snapshot of Croftamie Community in the first half of 2015. Education Environment and Heritage Croftamie Nursery has a wide catchment area covering The River Endrick is the principal Location Employment & the Local Economy Croftamie, , , , environmental asset in the area and , and . Croftamie Nursery is an flows west to enter . The Croftamie is a small village located 35% of the economically active population in Croftamie work Integrated Service (Stand Alone Nursery), open 8.30am to river is the major inflow into the Loch 3 miles south west of Drymen in the full-time. It is estimated that a high proportion of this figure 5.30pm, 50 weeks of the year. The nursery provides a flexible and forms the main spawning ground western rural area of Council; commute to /Stirling and beyond. Local knowledge service for children and families, catering for 24 children aged for the Loch’s salmon. The area is noted it is one of the southern gateways indicates that tourism is an important and growing sector in 3-5 years in the morning and afternoon, and an additional 5 for its low levels of pollution, the habitat to the National Park. The Croftamie Croftamie. Croftamie has a higher number of self employed afternoon places for children under 3. Currently 2 children from supports a wide range of species. The Community Council area covers than the regional or national average. The availability of the village attend. Endrick area tothe north of Croftamie an extensive rural landward area of suitable space for small business within the area is limited. is designated a Site of Special Scientific 2 Local children normally attend schools in Drymen, Buchanan or around 25 km and is bordered by Interest (SSSI),primarily because of its Roads and Transport Killearn. Balfron High is the catchment secondary school. Drymen Community Council (at the unique lamprey population. The other At the time of the survey, there was considerable Endrick) to the north and east, by principal site of interest in the area is dissatisfaction with the bus service. Buses are too infrequent Killearn Community Council to the east at Aucheneck on the Carnock Burn for commuting to Glasgow or Stirling and to access shopping Health and Care Services and south and by West (a designated SSSI due to its well- even in the surrounding villages. The service is now to be Council to the west. National cycle The nearest services are GPs in Drymen, Killearn and Balfron. preserved examples of various glacial replaced by a direct response transport system to connect route 7 and the John Muir Way pass Nearest general hospitals are in Larbert and Glasgow with landforms, a key site for interpreting the with bus routes with better frequency. This should be an through the centre of the village and limited provision in Stirling; dentists in Drymen, Alexandria and Ice Age of the Loch Lomond area). the is just outside. improvement. Balfron. The nearest dispensing pharmacies are in Drymen, Some of the features that make The nearest railway stations are at Balloch and Milngavie. Killearn and Balfron. Croftamie special: Pavements (where they exist) are rough and dangerous and Population street lighting is very poor, especially where school children • The drove roads - from the north At the time of the 2011 census the wait for their bus. The A809 which runs through the village is Leisure and Recreation of to Glasgow over the population was 358. Compared to ‘the most dangerous road in Scotland’. The lack of a community facility is perceived as the largest Stockie Muir and from Argyll and the west to the Falkirk Tryst the National Park and Scotland there Community Organisations and Facilities single factor inhibiting the development of community was a lower than average proportion activities in Croftamie. There are long distance walks and • The railway – opened in the 1850s There are no shops in the village – the nearest facilities of 5 to 15 year olds and young adults; cycle tracks running through the village but the lack of a safe and closed a century later there was a higher than local average are in Drymen. At the present time the nursery building is path to Drymen which would encourage more usage is an • The ruined castle at Mains of proportion of 45 – 64 year olds and a designated as a dual use facility, for community use alongside issue. higher than average retired population. its educational role. It is poorly suited for this and there are no Kilmaronock. other community facilities in the village, other than the village • The well of St Dieldrin, reputed to There are 153 houses of which a pub/restaurant. high proportion - 72% - are owner contain a cure for leprosy! occupied. Only 8% of housing is socially Croftamie has a long-running SWRl; there are currently 40 • The ruins at Spittal, thought to be a rented. The desirability of the area for members – demonstrating Croftamie’s willingness and desire Templar site commuters and the resultant rise in for community activity. There is a shortage of clubs and house prices makes it difficult to cater activities for all age groups in the village; the majority of • The former stone quarry and timber for local housing needs. leisure activities are dependent upon journeys to recreational mill. facilities either by public or private transport. In order to alleviate feelings of isolation and permit access to facilities the Community Trust has organised a weekly minibus service to Milngavie.

4 | COMMunity Action Plan 2015 - 2020 Croftamie | 5 Community Views Survey Community Views Survey Likes Dislikes

The services that are available are 17% highly valued Poor public Poor quality footpaths transport 32% 16% links The village has a 11% Recreational Speeding traffic beautiful rural setting opportunities for walking, cycling 13% and horse-riding 24% were also identified 10 % as assets. Croftamie Inadequate community 18% has a good meeting space Lack of fast community spirit broadband

What we said about our dislikes. What we said about our top likes. “Terrible standard of paths or “Quiet, safe feel to the village, and still “It is rural, quiet and friendly” pavement to connecting villages; “The speed of the traffic through the handy for Glasgow” “The Thursday minibus to Tesco” many no longer safe to walk” village could be reduced” “Friendly village pub” “Slow broadband” “No bus service” “It is a country community and has “It would be great to have a shop, “Lack of a social centre as a focus for retained country values” even if it only opened for a few hours activities, especially for the elderly” a week”

6 | COMMunity Action Plan 2015 - 2020 Croftamie | 7 Croftamie Main Themes and Priorities These are the main themes and priorities the community will focus on over the next 5 years, in partnership with public agencies and Our vision for the future other supporters.

We want our community to be a safe and peaceful place where people of all ages can live, work and thrive, making the most of the natural resources which surround us. At the heart of our vision is our sense of connectedness and our desire to enhance it: Towards each other, by developing an appropriate community meeting space THEME 1: Traffic, roads and paths Towards neighbouring villages, by developing and maintaining safe footpaths THEME 2: Community Services Towards the wider world, by seeking improved public transport and internet services. THEME 3: Community Facilities Towards our rural surroundings, by cherishing and safeguarding our natural environment. THEME 4: Village Development

TOP TEN PRIORITIES AS IDENTIFIED BY THE COMMUNITY THROUGH CONSULTATION Develop safe, high-quality footpaths connecting Croftamie to other villages Campaign for stable, fast broadband internet connectivity Campaign for useful improvements to public transport Improve the community meeting facilities Campaign to stabilise GP service provision at neighbouring Drymen Surgery Seek to encourage the opening of a village shop Encourage more flexible approaches to village planning and development Work to keep the village looking neat and tidy Improve road maintenance Improve car parking

88 || COMMunityCOMMunity AAcctitioonn PlPlaann 20152014 -- 20202019 Croftamie | 9 Theme 1: Traffic, Roads and Paths Theme 2: Community Services

A guide to the first steps A guide to the first steps to be taken over the next to be taken over the next 12 months and beyond... 12 months and beyond...

Priority 1: Priority 1: Speeding traffic Fast broadband for Croftamie Install and maintain traffic-calming measures Although the village centre has now been connected on the A809 as it passes through the village to super-fast fibre, the outlying addresses still suffer poor • Review further traffic calming measures speeds, which need to be improved. • Maintain and improve the • Establish exactly when the whole community will be existing signage connected to fibre broadband • Maintain speed cameras • Campaign to ensure all addresses in the community, in the village including those outside the village centre, are equally well-served by any future fibre broadband deployment Community Champion: • Stirling Council Community Champion: • Croftamie Community Council • Stirling Council • • Croftamie Community Council • Digital Scotland

Priority 2: Priority 2: Footpath maintenance Better bus services repair and maintain footpaths Explore options for increasing access to public transport in the community • The footpath between Croftamie and Drymen needs major upgrading works • Monitor working of demand-responsive transport (DRT) system to ensure it provides suitable connections for the • Install safe crossing points over the A809 community. and A811 • Explore ways in which the Thursday minibus run to • Repair of pavements within the village Milngavie might be extended Community Champion: Community Champion: The movement of vehicles and pedestrians in • Stirling Council This theme most clearly illustrates the • Stirling Council and out of Croftamie village continue to be the • Croftamie Community Council community’s desire for improved • Croftamie Community Council issues of over-riding concern to the community. connectivity. Quality internet service • Croftamie Community Trust There is a persistent problem with speeding Priority 3: is no longer a luxury. It is critical to • Community Transport Association traffic, and many footpaths, especially those that both residential and business users, Road repairs run outside the village, are in a poor condition. and has the potential to affect long- Priority 3: Villagers want to be able to enjoy their public Lobby for better maintenance of the minor roads term change in rural communities, spaces in safety; they also want to be able to that pass through and around the community, connecting them to essential services Keep Croftamie tidy make local trips to neighbouring communities which are in a variable and often poor state. and the wider world, and allowing The visual impact of the village can affect the way how on foot. Effective traffic management, and Community Champion: local businesses to thrive against urban residents feel about it, the likelihood that visitors will stop, footpath maintenance, are therefore critical. • Stirling Council competitors. At the same time, there and even the possibility of inward investment. Keeping all is always a need for good transport aspects of the village neat and tidy is important. links, and there is much room for Priority 4: • The straw bale planters get mixed reviews from residents improvement in the public transport - close attention to their tidiness is therefore important Car parking provision in Croftamie. • The community noticeboard to be regularly audited and The village has limited car parking. Space could out of date content removed be identified where further availability could be made. • Stirling Council to be lobbied to conduct litter picking on the A809 and A811 verges Community Champion: • Stirling Council Community Champion: • Croftamie Community Council • Croftamie Community Council • Croftamie Community Trust • Stirling Council • LLTNP

10 | COMMunity Action Plan 2015 - 2020 Croftamie | 11 Theme 3: Community Facilities Theme 4: Village Development

A guide to the first steps A guide to the first steps to be taken over the next to be taken over the next 12 months and beyond... 12 months and beyond...

Priority 1: Priority 2: Priority 1: Develop the community A village shop Build new homes and apartments meeting space Bringing a convenience Property that has already been identified as suitable Pursue the improvements store to Croftamie will for redevelopment, should be used to provide more Croftamie Nursery needs if require the identification of accommodation in Croftamie. it is adequately to meet its likely premises, someone to • Support identified areas of development. designation as a community own/operate it, and work to • Work with the planning authority to ensure its rules resource. address any development and conditions do not deter development • Re-examine past plans control issues Community Champion: to develop the nursery • Identify suitable premises, • Croftamie Community Council outbuildings or to build and their likely availability • Stirling Council a new structure behind for purchase • LLTNP planning department the nursery field. Establish • Identify an individual

why these proposals failed or group that would be and how they might willing to own/operate a Priority 2: be modified and taken village shop Promote the village forwards. • Work with LLTNP planning Croftamie is well-situated for the John Muir Way, • Campaign for department and Stirling and the West Highland improvement of adult council on any planning Way. Its location near this “crossroads” should toilet facilities or highways access issues be celebrated and used to attract visitors to the • Audit the community Community Champion: community’s accommodation providers and the equipment to ensure • Croftamie Community village pub. there are sufficient Council • Promote Croftamie’s services in relevant tourist resources (tables, chairs, • LLTNP planning Since the publication of the last literature, and with signage in the village presentation materials, department Community Action Plan, a village kitchen equipment) to • Stirling Council Community Champion: shop has opened and then closed support a wide range of • Croftamie Community Council

again. This has served to highlight the community activities • Croftamie Community Trust lack of facilities in the village and may Priority 3: • Stirling Council also have contributed to heightened Community Champion: Stable GP provision • LLTNP, West Highland Way officer frustration over the lack of bus services The community recognises that developing • Stirling Council and adequate footpaths, addressed Maintain pressure on Forth the village and growing the population, within • Croftamie Community in Themes 1 and 2. The inadequacy of Valley Health Board to sensible limits, is a means by which other Council the village nursery as a general-purpose ensure a permanent GP desirable developments might be achieved. • Croftamie Community community space continues to feature remains at Drymen Health Various previous attempts to develop land Trust as a general concern, which requires Centre. for housing or to convert the former nursing • Croftamie nursery action for improvement. Community Champion: home are in the pipeline.As the economy management improves, some express the hope that • Croftamie WRI • Croftamie Community Council development plans might be progressed. • Stirling Constituency and Central Scotland region MSPs • Stirling Council

12 | COMMunity Action Plan 2015 - 2020 Croftamie | 13 Making It Happen

Croftamie Community Partnership will continue to play key roles in implementing the Action Plan but support from people in the community is critical to its successful delivery. If you would like to get involved with any of these initiatives or for further information please contact the lead organisations shown below:

If you would like to be part of making this Action Plan a reality, contact: Croftamie Community Council: Chair: Margaret Firth Email: [email protected] Tel: 07932 739346

Croftamie Community Trust Ltd: Chair: Anne Ewing Email: [email protected] Tel: 07837 720772

14 | COMMunity Action Plan 2015 - 2020 Acknowledgements

Croftamie Community Action Plan Steering Group have prepared this community document. A special thanks to all Steering Group members for their time and dedication.

We are grateful to the following organisations for funding and assistance:

Loch Lomond & The Trossachs Community Partnership www.thecommunitypartnership.org.uk Tel: 01389 727762

Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority www.lochlomond-trossachs.org Tel: 01389 722600

Thanks to all of you who submitted photographs to use in this publication.

16 | COMMunity Action Plan 2014 - 2019