Whitehills Community Action Plan ALP Map Community Action Plan 2 Introduction Community Action Plan Whitehills and flourish and further expansion Parish of Boyndie may be necessary by popular demand for its services. Welcome to the latest three year plan for Whitehills & In 2006, a windfarm was built on District. the former RAF site in Boyndie, which has a spin-off benefit Whitehills and District of a community development Boyndie Visitor Centre. Community Council area fund, linked to the electrical comprises Whitehills village generating capacity of the and the Parish of Boyndie to turbines. More turbines have the west and east of the village. been added recently. An area of around forty square Significant industries are sited on kilometres. the Boyndie ’Drome including Grampian Oat Products and a Whitehills was a traditional Renewable Wood Pellets Factory fishing village with its own vessels and fish market. The former Ladysbridge Hospital In recent years there have site is now an ongoing housing been significant developments development with a range of in the local economy and properties including ‘affordable infrastructure. housing’. The first phase of houses is constructed. In 1999 the Harbour Commissioners elected to This is the third community Whitehills Marina. build a marina. It is now a very action plan to be drawn up since active leisure port. Whitehills 2004. village retains a quality fresh fish The Community Council is processing factory, post office, very pro-active. Numerous shops and library. The holiday community-led projects have caravan park is very busy in been completed and many are the season. Blackpots Playpark ongoing. Recent ones include: is popular with its modern - Formation of Whitehills Youth amenities. Group. - Major improvements to the The parish area of Boyndie award winning public toilets. remains primarily agricultural. - Broadband services to parts Diversification of the industry of Boyndie. has seen some changes such - New planters throughout the as self-catering establishments village. within some of the farming - New memorial stones communities. and entrance gates at the cemetery Boyndie Windfarm. The four star graded Boyndie - Replacement Xmas lights Visitor Centre continues to - Pathway to windfarm 3 Banff & Buchan Area Local Plan Community Action Plan Whitehills: Banff & Buchan reflect contact and dialogue with Area Plan 2012-2015 local communities, community groups, organisations and The Area Plan lays out under individuals as well as community six headings Aberdeenshire planning partners. Council’s intentions for developments and projects for The latest version of the Area Red Well Carpark. the forthcoming three years. Plan lists one action specifically It is drawn up by the Banff and for Whitehills regarding the Buchan Area Management Team footpath from Boyne Quarry and adopted by the Banff and to Whitehills and includes a Buchan Area Committee. The number of general intentions actions identified in the Plan which might affect the village. Heading/Lead Service Action/Project Community Wellbeing Develop the gypsy/traveller Action Plan Promote affordable housing Safer Routes to School Promote well-being and safety Lifelong Learning Identify, co-ordinate and deliver youth work opportunities Support the provision of school holiday St Brandon Centre. activities Promote cultural and heritage opportunities Sustainable Environment Improve the path east from Boyne Quarry to Whitehills Promote waste awareness and recycling Promote energy efficiency in community facilities (Eg Village Halls) Developing our Partnership Develop opportunities for child care during school holidays Village in bloom. 4 Top Six Priorities Community Action Plan Top Six Priorities in Stop Travellers From Taking Whitehills Over Redwell (Theme: Crime and Community Safety) The top six priorities to emerge This is an important issue for the from the consultation are community and will require the outlined below: involvement of Aberdeenshire Council and Grampian Police. Projects which would (Actions have already been Red Well Carpark. involve the community started) in partnership Street Lights From The Dog Fouling (Theme: Local Harbour To Blackpots Environment) (Theme: Local Environment) There were two particular This issue was the second most locations mentioned in this popular priority in the previous regard; at the end of Reidhaven Action Plan. Street and, between Redwell and the Caravan Park. It was also Project which will need noted that dog owners need to be undertaken by the to be fined or at the very least Community taken to task, and that there should be more’poop’ bins Whitehills To Have Its around the settlement. Own Festival Similar To The Portsoy Boat Festival. Light And Repair The (Theme: Community Facilities West End. Footpath Between and Activity) Craigneen Place And As with the lights at Blackpots, West End (Theme: Local this suggestion has been raised Environment) at previous consultations. This suggestion is clearly seen as a very important issue for the people of Whitehills. To achieve this will need the involvement of Aberdeenshire Council working with the Community Council. Provide A New Kitchen For The Public Hall (Theme: Public Hall) The most pressing issue for the Community Hall is seen as the provision of a proper kitchen. Whitehills Marina. 5 Other Issues Community Action Plan Other Issues Raised Projects which could be undertaken by the Many other issues received community support, and these are listed below. • More youth projects like the Theatre Modo project. Community Facilities and • Provision of an Internet café. Church Clock. Activity Jobs and the Economy Projects that would require action by an As well as the popular outside agency suggestion regarding a Festival like that at Portsoy, another Provide a cash machine/ suggestion which received autoteller in the settlement support was that there should probably located in the wall or be a summer playgroup scheme inside the ‘Premier’ store. [PI] set up for the children of working mums. Projects that could be undertaken by the community independently • Revive the garden area at the bottom of Seafield Street Red Well. • Provide more seats around the settlement in particular: – At the east side of Knock Brae. – Between Redwell Court and the Cemetery. – At the west side of Reidhaven Street • Convert the area behind Wilson Crescent flats into a childrens play park. • Invest in more Christmas lights. • Paint the face and numbers on the Church clock. Whitehills Marina - outer basin. 6 Other Issues Community Action Plan Local Environment Health and Housing Whilst providing the most This theme provided just two popular suggestion and the most suggestions support from the community, there were a number of other There was substantial support issues raised for this theme: for the suggestion that there needs to be more positive Whitehills entrance display. Projects which would action taken regarding empty or require action by an neglected buildings. [P&ES, PI] outside agency The community would like to Projects which would see more affordable housing involve the community being provided in the settlement. in partnership [P&ES, H&SW, PI] • Tidy up the old buildings on the approach to, and beside the harbour. [P&ES, T&I] • Set up a scheme for recycling or re-using household items. [P&ES] • Improve the sea defences perhaps utilising big rocks supplied by local farmers. Looking west. [P&ES, T&I] • Tidy or find a new location for the recycling waste bins in the Cutty Car Park. [P&ES] Projects which could be undertaken by the community • Tidy up the entrance to Whitehills at Inverboyndie bridge. • Develop a Community Wood at the cross roads where the existing ‘three woods’ are deteriorating. Public Toilets. 7 Other Issues Community Action Plan Traffic and Crime and Community Transportation Safety Projects which could As well as providing the third be undertaken by most popular suggestion the community regarding travellers at Redwell independently this theme provided the Low Shore. following ideas • Provision of a slipway at the Harbour. Project which will • Trim the bushes on the require action from an pathway between Craigneen outside agency Place and West End. • Zero tolerance of ‘boy racers’. Projects which would [GP] involve the community • Increase police patrols around in partnership the settlement. [GP] • Repairs to footpaths: Other Themes Between Reidhaven Street and B1939. [T&I,P&ES] As well as the themes detailed • New footpaths required: above there were two special Along the main road from interest themes about which Whitehills to Ladysbridge. views were sought at this [T&I, P&ES] consultation Seafield Street. • Reduce congestion in Loch Street [T&I] Blackpots Play Park • Close access to vehicles between the shops & playing There were 16 suggestions field [T&I] that received support regarding • Improve access along the Blackpots the most popular of pathway from Falka Road which was that The Boat be saved. to the shore and sands of Whitehills. [T&I] The second most popular suggestion was that the Projects which would Committees for Blackpots require action by an and the Community Hall outside agency should combine to help both projects to flourish and to • Investigate ways to improve reduce duplication of effort and traffic visibility at the corner encourage cooperation. of Loch Street and Seafield Street. [T&I] It was suggested that there West of village. • Repair the back road from should be some positive from B9139 to West End (The promotion of the Pavilion for Falka Road). [T&I] 8 Other Issues Community Action Plan wider use and several of The other suggestions which the suggestions relate to the received support were: Pavilion: • Provide new tables and chairs. • Use the Pavilion as a gym or • Mark out and equip the Hall sports hall for use on rainy as a Badminton Court. days. • Provide changing facilities for • Use the Pavilion as a venue babies and the disabled. for youngsters. • Install a new, secure front Bullring. • Provide adult fitness machines. door. • Provide internet access. • Provide a stage, possibly • Provide a Pool Table.