New Deer Community Action Plan March 2017 ALP Map Community Action Plan

Home , Aberdeenshire (historic), New Deer

OP1 Plans for new housing passed OP2 Development started OP3 Future housing land 2 Introduction Community Action Plan

Origins and Development three licensed premises, a Church Centre with Café and New Deer, originally named a range of local businesses - Auchreddie (Pop. 641 - 2011 electricans, plumbers etc. In census) is described in Rev 2005, the Clydesdale Bank John B Pratt’s Buchan as a “long closed their branch in the village straggling place, stretching and the community successfully from north to south for nearly campaigned to purchase the Bank. a mile . . . picturesquely built bank building and subsequently along the ascending ridge of sold it to RBS who re-opened a steep hill; the upper end the branch in June 2006, of the village being at least a retaining banking facilities for hundred feet above the lower the community and surrounding extremity”. During the mid to rural area. late 19th century, New Deer was regarded as a cultural centre Community Activity of the north east being home to Gavin Greig, collector and editor Community activities are of the world’s finest collection centred around the Public Hall, of folksongs, the village chemist, and Pleasure Park both owned George Bruce, composer of and managed by the Community famous bothy ballads such as Association. The Association, McGinty’s Meal an’ Ale, James established in 1956 comprises Dickie, Gold Medalist fidder and of four trustees, public members the aforementioned Rev John and representatives from around Public Hall. Pratt, north east historian. Bertie 25 groups/clubs from the village Forbes, journalist, financier and and surrounding rural area. founder of Forbes Magazine These groups provide a wide was born and brought up in the range of activities for all ages area and is interred in the old and interests from the Toddler cemetery opposite St Kane’s Group and Young Farmers to Parish Church. Friendship Club and Sewing Group and from badminton New Deer Today to bowling and football. The local Church of Scotland - St Today the village is still a thriving Kane’s - own and manage the community with a Primary Church Centre which is the School, a range of local services base for Church activities and including two convenience outreach as well as being the stores, one hosting the Post home of the volunteer run Office, the other a bakery, a Mustard Seed Café. The Royal licenced delicatessen, a chemist, British Legion also organises a hairdresser/nail salon, a a varied programme of social Primary School. chip shop, filling station, bank, events throughout the year. Just Surgery, Veterinary Practice, outside the village is Craigieford 3 Introduction Community Action Plan

Park, owned by New Deer the results of this and follow up Agricultural Association who prioritisation event. organise and host the New Deer Show in July. The Community Things we like about our Association also produce a community . . . bi-monthly newsletter “What’s On” which contains information “Huge community spirit. Services Planning for Real® Event about local events and activities. are excellent for a small village. The village is kept tidy by a local Love living here” village orderly funded through Deer Community Council’s “I’ve been here for less than a year Brighter Villages Scheme. In 2006 but really like the village - peaceful New Deer was awarded the and friendly!” Calor Gas Community of the Year award. “Fantastic school with lots of community events. Excellent A Planning for Real© exercise services in the village.” was held initially in 2003 and reviewed in 2007 which resulted “The Community Association in an Action Plan being drawn does great work - not always fully up outlining key issues for the appreciated. Thank you!” community. As a result of these consultations the Public Hall and What could be better . . . Play Areas at the Pleasure Park were upgraded, the All Weather “Improved bus service to Peterhead, Consultation. Pitch and Pavilion were built, Aberdeen and Inverurie - the big new housing at Clubb Crescent drawback to New Deer” and Pirie Road was developed, a regular programme of theatre “More paths for walking” shows and films for all ages and interests was introduced and “More parking - outside Hall and has been ongoing in the Hall Church and at the surgery” and speed calming measures were implemented and double “More flowers and shrubs in the yellow lines laid to ease traffic centre of the village” congestion.

In 2016 the Community Association was kindly gifted an area of land by local resident the late Mr Wull Littlejohn which prompted the Association to

The late Wull Littlejohn’s ground which he kindly carry out another consultation gifted to New Deer Community Association. to refresh the previous Action Plan. This plan is a summary of 4 Buchan Community Plan Community Action Plan

New Deer - Buchan • Safer Communities Community Plan 2016-19 This includes issues around public safety ensuring that This is the Community Plan residents live in a safe for Buchan which sets out the environment, that road Buchan Community Planning safety is promoted and that Group’s main actions for people are supported to live the next three years. More lives free from harm due to Auchreddie Road. information about Community alcohol or other drugs. Planning in Buchan and Aberdeenshire can be found on • Stronger Communities www.ouraberdeenshire.org.uk This includes addressing issues of poverty and Priorities For Buchan inequalities for the include: communities of Buchan, supporting physical and • Empowered Communities economic regeneration in our This includes support for communities and supporting the delivery of Commmunity the growth and sustainability Action Plans - so we are well of social enterprises in the placed to benefit having just area. produced our Action Plan. It also covers support for Communities such as New Community Councils and Deer have an important role to Community Groups - New play in helping to address these Play park. Deer is represented on priorities through the provision Deer Community Council and development of facilities, and we have a wide range activities and services in the of community groups in our village. village.

• Healthier Communities This includes reducing health inequalities across the area, ensuring older people live independent, healthier lives in a community which respects and values them and that children have the best start in life through action with parents and children.

Culsh Nursing Home.

5 Top Four Priorities Community Action Plan

The top four priorities to 2015 and it is now not practical emerge from the consultation to use the current bus service to are outlined below. go to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary or the Cinema/lunchtime Lack of parking concerts in Aberdeen.

This continues to be an issue A potential solution could be to Kirk Glebe. in the village. The parking organise a community meeting outside the Public Hall and to ascertain the number of Church Centre is not adequate people affected and to lobby for particularly when there are an improved service. events on in both facilities or a large funeral service at the Footpaths Church. In addition there is often congestion on Main Street This continues to be a priority around the school/bank/shops for residents and was almost area and on Fordyce Road at resolved a few years ago. There the Surgery or if there are busy is a clear demand for a safe events in the Pleasure Park. walkway from the edge of the village out to New Deer A small working group has been Showfield and ideally all the way formed with representation from to Maud. There is no safe suitable the Church and Community route out of the village for Association to explore options wheelchair/pushchair users and to create additional parking walkers/ joggers regularly have to Bus stop. spaces in the Glebe. dodge the busy flow of traffic.

There was a suggestion to create Traffic Calming a one way system for traffic entering the Pleasure Park at the Despite traffic calming measures end of Fordyce Road and making being introduced since the an exit at the bottom of the last Plan was published - there park heading out at the Garage are still real concerns about on to Fordyce Terrace. speeding traffic in the village. Areas mentioned include High It was also suggested that part Street and Main Street, Fordyce of the former builder’s yard on Road, Fordyce Terrace and Main Street could be purchased Auchreddie Road. and a car park created there. Many other suggestions received Lack of Public Transport support and they are listed on pages 7 - 9.

Parking. The lack of bus services is an issue for many residents. The service changed in November 6 Other Issues Community Action Plan

A summarised Action Plan can Work and the Local be found on pages 10 - 11. Economy

Housing • Broadband It was highlighted that • The late Mr Wull there was a need for better Littlejohn’s Ground broadband in the rural This area of land - off areas around New Deer - All weather pitch and pavilion. Stoneybank Gardens - was particularly Cairnbanno and highlighted at the consultation Brucklay. event and people were asked for their suggestions. • Units for Start Up The consensus was that Businesses a mix of housing would It was unclear if there was a be the preferred option real demand for such units including starter homes, - further research required three bedroom semis, two before any land is identified bedroom terraced houses for such a development. and - given the distance from the Pleasure Park - that a Health recreational area be included in any development. The • Smoking in public spaces Trustees and representatives While there is no smoking from the Community allowed in public buildings Association are progressing in New Deer, there was Better broadband. this project. a call for smoking to be banned in the Pleasure Park • Hosie’s Field - particularly around the all There was a request for weather facility. starter and family homes to be incorporated in this • Provision of Health development. Plans for this Services development have been The strain that local GP approved by Aberdeenshire practices in the area are Council. under was noted. As the population increases in • Future housing at rear of Buchan the situation can only Clubb Crescent worsen so it was suggested It was noted that access that this is brought up with needs to be considered the Buchan Local Community before any development is Planning Group. progressed.

Housing land.

7 Other Issues Community Action Plan

• Services at the Surgery • Cemetery Extension There was a call for various It was understood that an services at the Surgery - eg extension to Culsh Cemetery hearing tests, diabetic clinic, was at an advanced stage but dentist, child psychologist, seems to have stalled. The midwife, baby clinic, podiatrist Community Association can etc. It was suggested that the find out what the position Flower tub. Association find out what is is and lobby for this to go currently available at the GP ahead. It was also suggested Surgery and Pharmacy and that parking spaces are lined publicise these and identify at the cemetery. any gaps in provision. • Environmental Projects • Widen entrance to There was a call for more surgery for easier floral displays and tubs, wheelchair access clearing of unsightly areas Community Association should and improvements to the contact the Surgery in the first dam on Auchreddie Road. To instance to discuss this issue. progress this it was suggested that a smaller working group • Counselling/Advice be established and that the Services school be included on this. It was noted that the Citizens Advice Bureau have now set • Improving links between up a service on a Tuesday in School, Church and Citizens Advice Bureau at the Church Centre. St Kane’s Church Centre. Community Association There is also scope to It was felt there was scope develop a resource booklet for better liaison between or digital link which lists all the School, St Kane’s Parish the services available. Church and Community Association. It was suggested Community Facilities that What’s On could be and Environment a good place for all three to have regular updates, • Public Toilets noticeboards could be better As the consultation was utilized and the Community underway, Aberdeenshire Diary at the Post Office be Council had taken the highlighted for events. Since decision to stop providing the consultation, the Church public toilets in various and the Association are locations - New Deer working together on a joint being one. Since then the project to improve the car

Public toilets. Community Association have parking provision outside the agreed to take on the running Public Hall and Church. of the toilets on a year’s trial. 8 Other Issues Community Action Plan

• Library • Dog Mess There was a call for a library This is a common issue for in the village. While this is most communities and it not something Aberdeenshire was no surprise that it was Council would fund, it was brought up again at this suggested that the times of consultation. The Community the mobile library van be Association could explore advertised. There are books introducing the Clean Dog The Surgery. available for a donation in the Walkers Initiative Hall as part of a fundraiser for a new kitchen and this Crime could be developed into a book exchange. • Thefts and Break-ins Prior to the consultation • Evening Classes/groups/ there had been a spate of after school care crime in the village - lead There were calls for the from the school roof was provision of various activities stolen, Costcutters had in the village. As a first step been broken in to and it was suggested that existing the gang mowers stolen activities and groups were from the Pleasure Park. publicised and the need for It was suggested that the additional groups needs Community Association clarified as any new activities work with the Police to need to be sustainable in the address these issues. It Fordyce Road. long term. was also suggested that a Neighbourhood Watch be • Bike Track/Running Track established in the village. There were calls for a bike track and running track to • Drug taking/dealing and be developed. This could be anti social behaviour done in conjunction with any These issues were brought footpath project. A running up as cause for concern track could be developed in in various locations in the the Pleasure Park. village. It was suggested that the Police be asked for • Kirk Walk input and guidance on these It was suggested that the matters. popular Kirk Walk be lit and done up - there are issues of flooding at the bottom of the walk at certain times. The

Community Association could Kirk Walk. work with the landowner to resolve this issue. 9 Action Plan Summary Community Action Plan

Agency Agency Housing Drug taking/dealing Thefts and break-ins Terrace and Fordyce Road and Fordyce Terrace Auchreddie Road, Fordyce Fordyce Road, Auchreddie on High Street, Main Street, Main Street, on High Street, Traffic calming/speed restrictions calming/speed Traffic Widen entrance to Surgery Provision of Health Services Provision Cemetery Hosie’s Field Hosie’s Extension to and parking at External External

Anti-social behaviour Watch Neighbourhood Dog Mess Evening classes/after school care Evening Library/book exchange

Church

Community Association Community and

Improving links between School, School, links between Improving

Public Toilets Counselling/Advice Services Creation of parking Creation Services at the Surgery Units for startUnits for up businesses Cairnbanno and Brucklay Wull Littlejohn’s land Littlejohn’s Wull of footpaths Creation Improved Broadband at Broadband Improved Partnership Partnership Improve bus services Improve

Kirk Walk

Bike track/running track Bike

Smoking in Pleasure Park Smoking in Pleasure

- flowers, planting, dam planting, - flowers,

improvements Environmental

Independent Independent

Future Future Work and the Work

Crime

Traffic

Health

and Environment

Housing Facilities Community Local Economy

10 Action Plan Summary Community Action Plan

Buchan Planning Group Community Anti-social behaviour Watch Neighbourhood Dog Mess

classes/after school care Evening

Library/book exchange

Church Counselling/Advice Services Community Association Community and Services at the Surgery Units for startUnits for up businesses Improving links between School, School, links between Improving Cairnbanno and Brucklay Public Toilets Improved Broadband at Broadband Improved Creation of parking Creation Improve bus services Improve Wull Littlejohn’s land Littlejohn’s Wull of footpaths Creation Partnership Partnership

Smoking in Pleasure Park Smoking in Pleasure

Kirk Walk

Bike track/running track Bike

- flowers, planting, dam planting, - flowers, improvements Environmental Independent Independent Work and the Work Future Future Other Agencies:- Other Services:- Council the above help to deliver Partners who may Aberdeenshire Services Education and Children’s Buchan Community Safety Partnershi Safety Service Community Rescue Buchan Care and Social Fire Scotland and Grampian Police Services Services Health Infrastructure Business NHS Grampian Private Investors Sector organisations Third

Crime

Traffic

Health

Local Economy

and Environment Housing Facilities Community

11 Making It Real CommunityCommunity Action Action Plan Plan

This booklet is one of a series plan is based on the results of resources will be needed and produced by Local Rural Planning for Real® exercises target dates for completion. It is Partnerships together with the carried out by the communities hoped that this process will be community under the banner themselves, together with any driven by representatives of the Making It Real. other available reports. This community with support - moral, process ensures that the plans technical and financial - from the The initiative is sponsored by are truly community-led. relevant partners. Aberdeenshire Community Planning Partnership and run This information can now guide It is important that this booket by Aberdeenshire Community the community and Community is seen by all concerned as an Economic Development Co- Planning Partners in drawing account of the community’s ordinators Forum. The aim is to up detailed action plans to views at the time of the latest provide community action plans implement the top priorities consultation, and that it will have in an attractive, easy to read, as well as addressing the to be regularly reviewed and professionally printed format. other issues which have been updated. As some projects are identified. For each priority or completed, other issues will arise For most communities, the issue this will involve agreeing and take their place in future content of each community who should be involved, what versions of the community plan.

Thanks are due to New Deer Community Association, for assisting with the Planning for Real© review and prioritisation event.

March 2017 Buchan Development Partnership Area Office • Nethermuir Road • Maud • AB42 4ND T: 01771 613666 • E: [email protected]

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