Cruden Bay Community Action Plan May 2018

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Location Community Action Plan

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Introduction Community Action Plan

This is the Community Action Plan All the ideas in this booklet came for the community of . from the community. The table at the This Action Plan was created from back shows those ideas which can be various surveys and public meetings, taken forward by the community on held between 2017 and 2019. its own, those which require help These were to establish what the from an external partner and those people of Portlethen wanted in which can only be taken forward by order to improve their area in one or more external agencies, which Portlethen from the air 2008 some way, be it in a material way, can provide moral, technical and by improvement to services, or to possibly financial support. provide directions towards a change. Various inputs were It is recommended that this Action gained from different age groups Plan should have a maximum lifespan and community groups. This was of 3 years. Some projects may be managed by both the Portlethen completed quickly whist others may & District Community Council and take much longer but all should be Council. This reviewed regularly to ensure that they project for a Community Action are still relevant. Plan 2019 is being co-ordinated by the Development It is important that this plan is seen Partnership. by all interested parties, both within the local community and other This information has now been partners who may be able to assist used to guide the community and with the implementation of any the Community Planning Partners actions set out in the table. in compiling a detailed action plan to take forward the top priorities, Kincardineshire Development Partnership as well as addressing the other is one of a number of rural issues which have been identified. partnerships in Aberdeenshire who For each priority, or issue, it has run the Community Action Plan been agreed who needs to be initiatives sponsored by Aberdeenshire involved, and over the coming Community Planning Partnership. months what resources will be required with target dates set for completion.

Findon “Harbour”

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Introduction Community Action Plan

Introduction employment has not yet returned to its 2013 level. The unemployment Portlethen is a coastal in the rate in Portlethen is 1.4% (2017) North East of , lying along the . It is in the historic Working Population county of Kincardineshire, which was 1n 2017, 56% 0f the working absorbed into the southern part of population travelled from Portlethen from the air 2008 the modern county of Aberdeenshire. Portlethen to work in Portlethen is in the area that is now City, 20% went to work out with called , one Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire, of six administrative areas in 15% worked somewhere else in Aberdeenshire. Kincardine and Aberdeenshire and only 9% Mearns and covers 756 sq km (292 worked in Portlethen itself. This sq miles). Its “capital” is the market may contribute to the wide town of . spread belief and feeling that Economy Portlethen is really a suburb of Aberdeen City and is sometimes The Kincardine and Mearns area considered by its residents to be a supports 16,850 jobs (2017), not stereotypical “Commuter Town”. including self-employment. The largest sector is the public Population administration, education and In 2017 the population of Medical Centre health sector. However, compared Kincardine and Mearns was to the rest of Aberdeenshire there 45,285. Between 2012 and 2017 are fewer jobs in this sector and the population increased, and proportionately more in banking, Kincardine and Mearns’ share of finance and insurance. The sector the total Aberdeenshire’s population which is most different to the rest increased from 16.9% to 17.3%. of Aberdeenshire is manufacturing. During this same time Portlethen Throughout Aberdeenshire, 7.2% of & District* (part of the North all jobs lie within the manufacturing Kincardine Ward) saw the population sector but in Kincardine and grow from 6,760 (2012) to 9,090 Mearns this figure is 17%. (2017) which is a growth of 34.5%. Unemployment There are currently new housing developments which makes it The unemployment rate in Kincardine likely that the population will rise and Mearns is one of the lowest in again. Portlethen Railway Station the country. Although it rose between 2014 and 2016 it was never above 1.6% and over the last *Portlethen & District: The Town five years has always been lower and Villages. Portlethen, Old than the Aberdeenshire rate. Portlethen (or ) However, the effect of the collapse Findon, , Checkbar in oil price in 2014 can still be seen;

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History & Development Community Action Plan

History From that point onwards Landowners then started to play a There is evidence for man living smaller part in the management and working in the area around of their estates, and farmers Portlethen around 4000 years ago started to play a more important with the standing stones and ring role in care of the land. This also cairns of Aquhorthies, Cairnwell, included Seatown of Portlethen Old Bourtreebush Craighead, Auchlee and Old which was 720 acres in size. In the Boutreebush. The gap between the “book of Bon-Accord”, Portlethen building of these stone circles and was called “Port Leviathan” when people began to use writing because of certain whales that to record the passing of days is a came ashore there. The dating of huge one. this is, however, unknown. It later Although there are hints of the was just called Portlethen. area’s history, with the Romans, Part of the Causey Sea fishing was undertaken from and many others making Road, a modern section the harbour at Portlethen, from impressions on it, it would be some the coves at Findon, and later time before Portlethen entered the from Downies (set up in the history books. The next historical 1700’s). At times this played a milestone is the creation, from a major role in providing food to drover’s road, of the Causey those inland, and later, fish was Mounth in the 12th Century. This carried on the backs of fish wives was built as a connection between from Portlethen, along what Stonehaven and the City of Aberdeen Portlethen Harbour 1920’s became known as the “Creel and it was also built as one of the Walks”, to be sold at market in few “easy” routes to avoid the hills Aberdeen. and to avoid the boggy areas of the . Some of it is Findon was famous for its Finnan still in use today. haddie (also known as Finnan haddock, Finnan, Finny haddock During the following centuries or Findrum speldings) which is a Portlethen, and especially the cold-smoked haddock, smoked Findon estate, passed through using green wood and . Its Findon “Harbour” many owners’ hands. Findon, it is origin is the subject of a debate believed, received its name from and the "dispute" goes back to one of its earliest owners Philip De the eighteenth century, although Fyndon, in 1281. The estate and it is hard to trace. Barony of Findon, created sometime after 1320, was broken down or expanded or sold as plots.

Creel Fishing off Portlethen

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History & Development Community Action Plan

A testimonial in an early 20th century Portlethen was founded, MacIntosh Donald, Boston cookbook describes the origin from and it is still going strong today. a fire in a fish curing house in Portlethen, very near Findon. It may have been a popular During the late 1950’s and early 1960’s, dish in Aberdeenshire starting at least as houses were built along Cookston Road, early as the 1640’s. Burnside Gardens and around that area, which led to the building of the new However, this industry, which has left its Portlethen Primary School. By the 1970’s mark on the coastline and once employed there were more houses, and by the late many folk, has declined as the small coves 1970’s, the population of Portlethen exploded and harbours cannot handle the larger boats with hundreds more homes being built. This and the gear required for larger fishing boats. was due to the rapid raise of the oil and gas Only a few fishing boats are left at industry in and around Aberdeen with an Portlethen, these being small white fishing influx of thousands of workers both for boats and a few creel fishing boats. onshore and offshore work. This continued So, housing growth was slow in the rest of into the 1980’s, 1990’s and the 2000’s with the Portlethen area. As this map from 1950’s housing estates being added piecemeal and shows, Findon and Portlethen Village have with no overall plan, central design or several houses but Portlethen was mainly creation of a unifying Town Centre or facilities. based around the Railway Station and was Portlethen has suffered from this ‘Wild West’ once known as Portlethen Station. In 1955 approach to house-building and was to do what is one of the largest local employers in so for years to come.

OS map of Portlethen Area 1950’s

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Amenities Community Action Plan

Retail In there is a Gym and indoor basketball, indoor Portlethen has five shopping areas: cricket, and dance studios for hire Portlethen Park, The Green, by the public. Outdoors there is a Muirend Court, Rowanbank basketball pitch, a 2G pitch and Court, and Hillside Road. There is two full size football pitches. an Asda superstore in Portlethen Premier Inn hotel at the Mains of Balquharn Retail Park and two McColl’s There is a desire to improve the convenience stores located at The access to the existing sports pitches Green and Rowanbank Court. and to increase the amount of There is a Co-op at Hillside Road, sports pitches for various sports in along with other small shops. the area, however the people of Other outlets in the town include Portlethen have to get behind Argos, Matalan, and B & M’s. these projects to show their support. Food & drink Portlethen Golf Club There are a variety of take-away Portlethen Golf Club was founded and restaurant outlets in The Leathan Portlethen, most of these are in 1981, and a championship located within the main shopping course designed by Donald Steel areas. There is also a Brewers opened for play in 1989. The club Fayre pub restaurant, The Mains is owned by its members. The of Balquharn, next to the A92 dual club's first professional player was carriageway near Badentoy Park. Muriel Thomson who, when she There are four pubs in Portlethen; was appointed in 1990, was the the Mains of Balquharn, The first female golf professional in Paddock (at The Green), The Scotland. The course is a 6,663 Leathan, and The Neuk (in yards par 72 with two par 3s and Portlethen Village). Portlethen two par 5s in each half (providing a par 3 and a par 5 facing each of Golf Club also has a bar open to Portlethen Golf Club the public. In addition to the north, south, east and west) to Brewers Fayre restaurant, there is complement five par 4s in each a Premier Inn hotel at the Mains half. The club has an extensive of Balquharn. clubhouse and practice facilities, including a covered driving range, Sport practice bunkers, short-game area Portlethen has two all-weather and putting green. concrete tennis courts, a bowling green with public and private sessions, a swimming pool and a private members' golf club.

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Other Amenities Community Action Plan

A Youth drop-in centre was Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), the opened in April 2007, in the old Forestry Commission, the community library building. There are also and the local schools within various youth groups running Portlethen. regularly at Portlethen Parish Portlethen Moss is an area of natural Church. There is a Jubilee Hall raised acidic which supports a that is used by various groups. variety of plant and animal species; Jubilee Hall Burns Night Supper This hall was gifted to the people however, over the years the area 1960 of Portlethen by Mrs Taylor, but has been subject to certain it was the Walker family who development pressures and were behind the work to get the consequently much of what was Hall built and started in 1889, the Moss has now been lost. In with foundation stone laid, it was response to this, the Portlethen opened 27th June 1890. It was Moss Conservation Group was named to commemorate the formed, working towards preserving jubilee of the Sovereign (Queen what is left of this environmentally Victoria) in 1887. sensitive area and to gaining Local There are three main parks in Nature Reserve (LNR) status. Portlethen Church Portlethen: Bourtree Park, Nicol The group has recently taken on Park, and Burnside Park. Nicol board a second major environmental Park has a toddlers’ park, a skate project - the creation of a Community park and two basketball courts. Woodland within Portlethen - in an Bourtree Park has a football area which is currently owned by pitch and a few swings and Aberdeenshire Council. This area is climbing frames. Burnside Park located just over the railway bridge also has children’s play on the Downies Road, the North equipment. In addition, there are end of the site being adjacent to several small parks containing Portlethen Church. A letter was swings and climbing frames sent to the Area Manager, throughout Portlethen. Aberdeenshire Council in July 2007 Portlethen Moss Conservation Group at work There is also the Portlethen requesting the Council consider Moss. This a remnant of the the group’s aspirations for the original moss that used to cover area, and as a result it now has full a large area. It is now cared for backing for this project. by the Portlethen Moss Conservation The Portlethen Moss Conservation Group, which is made up of Group endeavours to raise funds members from within the for both projects. The Moss community of Portlethen. They requires constant maintenance are supported by, and work such as gorse control, care for 2,000 closely with, Aberdeenshire Council and its Ranger Service, 8

Other Amenities Community Action Plan

newly planted trees and the The Social Work offices of hedgerows, to name but a few. Aberdeenshire Council for the The Community Woodland site is local area are also located within a huge and exciting project and Portlethen, along Rowanbank has gained much support locally Road. and is well used. Both projects are Public transport of benefit to the community, Trains education and biodiversity and Sundew Plant the group will continue to work to There is a train station in raise funds to maintain these Portlethen and there is now an projects. hourly service to and from Education Aberdeen, as well as services to Stonehaven, and There has been a school in Montrose connecting to trains to Portlethen since the nineteenth , and Glasgow. century. The original school building is still in use today as the local Buses police station. The school was Portlethen is connected by direct then moved to new buildings on bus routes to Aberdeen and to the Peacock Butterfly Cookston Road in 1860. In 1962, a Airport in the north, and new school block was opened , Stonehaven, Montrose directly across from the old buildings and Dundee in the south. Buses on Cookston Road. This is now are operated by Stagecoach Portlethen Primary School. Bluebird. In 1987, the first Portlethen Academy was opened. The 2nd academy was opened in 2006 and the old academy was demolished. In 1989 Fishermoss School, the second primary school in Portlethen, opened its doors. In 2016 work Portlethen Primary 1962 started on a third school for Portlethen, Hillside Primary School, and that opened in March 2017. There is an integrated community library and community centre located within Portlethen Academy.

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Themes Community Action Plan

The main issues and aspirations The actions plan at the end of this raised by the community have document can be categorised in to been grouped into five themes the following five themes: summarised below with proposed actions outlined in the table at the THEME 1 Roads, Paths, Transportation end of this plan. These reflect the Big Path by Paddock situation that was current as the action plan was developed, but THEME 2 Facilities and Amenities will be supplemented by further actions as these are identified THEME 3 Sports and Recreation over time. Community action Facilities planning is a dynamic and progressive process that will reflect the priorities of the various THEME 4 Community Activities subgroups within the community as they evolve. It is also dependent THEME 5 Outdoor Spaces The Green on the involvement and energy of the community to enable action to be achieved. As previously acknowledged, the following themes emerged from In preparing this Community the Aberdeenshire Council led Action Plan we are mindful of engagement: actions being undertaken as a result of community engagement Theme - Facilities and Amenities/ events using the ‘Place Standard Social Contact Tool’ led by Aberdeenshire Council Theme - Housing and Community and Architect & Design Scotland. Theme – Outdoor Spaces It is not the intention that the actions in this plan duplicate or Theme - Public Transport Pitch without Floodlights contradict the outcomes and Action plans for these four themes subsequent activities from this based on the ‘PORTLETHEN – participation; it is hoped that the HOW GOOD IS OUR PLACE’ results , activities held within this have been prepared and made document will dovetail with available to the community. A actions and activities already further event was held to identify identified through this process. A members of the community prepared to take some of the brief summary of the feedback actions forward. A ‘Paths’ group from these events is included in has emerged from this engagement this Community Action Plan as who will take on some the actions many of the points are reflected highlighted. In addition to the across all the engagement work emerging from both this undertaken. engagement and the work in 10

Themes Community Action Plan

preparing this Community Action New and improved road signage Plan, a recreation services working for the area. Portlethen needs group has been looking at better signs to tell people that they outdoor space in Portlethen and are in Portlethen. have prepared a concept document As Portlethen has grown there are which is currently in draft but additional entry points into the Narrow Path by Leathan will be made available once in town requiring additional signage. final form. There are three specific areas in This Portlethen Community Action the town but no actual town Plan links into similar themes, centre. There is a desire to encompass although there are no actions Hillside as it was part of Portlethen. under the theme ‘Housing.’ This The paths group are also looking is an area of concern with a at signage in and around number of issues. However, at Portlethen. this time it is understood that Community upgrade of the small this is largely a matter for path opposite the Lethen Arms Aberdeenshire Council Housing and on the same side as the Police The other side of the wall and Planning Departments. Station. That the path be widened, Some innovations such as Self- and the wall pushed back to the Build and work were highlighted trees. in the ‘PORTLETHEN – HOW The area of the path from the GOOD IS OUR PLACE’ action plan. police station to the primary is extremely narrow. Enquiries have THEME 1 been made with a stonemason for a price to move the wall. There is Roads, Paths, Transportation a Dentist and bus stop alongside • New and improved road the wall but no real access. It had signage for the area. been suggested the path should Bus Route be routed along the other side of • Community upgrade of a the fence and wall to prevent path. having to remove the stonewall. • Public Transport: To have a Public Transport: To have a circular circular bus route around bus route around Portlethen. Portlethen. It is believed that the older • Repair and creation of a residents and those with young Coastal Path children used a circular route. • Encourage the creation of Following the Place Standard more cycle paths around the engagement there had been area contact with Stagecoach regarding

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Themes Community Action Plan

a town service in Portlethen THEME 2 which would connect with the Facilities and Amenities main bus route, however there was a lack of stock of buses to of- • The Green fer such a service and it would • Hillside need to be commercially viable, Cycle Path therefore, at this point in time they were unable to offer such The Green: This area needs a service. re-generation, with better signs and directions towards it. More There is a need to gather use needs to be made of the paths evidence and inform the community and the area to make clear that it of what is currently available. It is a shopping centre. Can be was suggested that some research applied to all of the retail areas. could be undertaken, perhaps Aberdeenshire Council have been with the help of TrAK. It was engaging with the businesses on suggested that the research may The Green to establish a Business The Green show that there may be scope to Association to take forward a develop a Community Transport number of improvements. Funding initiative. has been secured from the Scottish Repair and creation of a Coastal Government’s Town Centre fund Path and to encourage the for signage, noticeboards and recreation of a “Creel walk” from landscaping. Discussions are to Portlethen to Aberdeen. take place with the property developer to gain agreement for the works to This is a longer term venture and be undertaken and perhaps offer it would be great to link the some additional funding. communities. There is a desire to

form a group to look after

Portlethen. Hillside Hillside requires improved Encourage the creation of more community facilities including play cycle paths around the area. area for small children, areas for older children, and areas for There is a wish to encourage families. Also required is land for a people to be more aware of their Community Centre. environment and adopting greener activities. The creation of an open There is considerable work to be access group or similar could be a done and the first steps would be way of addressing this. to survey those who live in the area to see what they want? There are three small playparks but no communal areas or green space.

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Themes Community Action Plan

The community space at Hillside Floodlights to be provided on the school is very rarely available so Portlethen Academy grass pitches if land was available it could be so that the pitches can be used on used to build a community dark evening. centre or similar. Enquiries had been made about providing floodlights on the Portlethen Academy THEME 3 academy pitches but it was advised that the pitches were already well Sports and Recreation Facilities used and there were concerns that • Sports pitches in Hillside additional usage would impact on • Floodlights at Portlethen the condition of the pitches. Academy grass pitches • Nicol Park Nicol Park be redeveloped as an • Create more sports pitches asset with sport area and or play area.

Work on how this space can be Nicol Park Sports pitches in Hillside, next to developed is ongoing. It is Hillside School, to be transferred understood that the Friends of to the Community for use either Nicol Park group had folded, due as sport pitches or as a park. to lack of support. The amenities This large green space has been and facilities all need to be unutilised for some time . Parents upgraded but there had been have expressed an interest in objections from the neighbours. using it for a park. Community Consideration of the demographic members are keen to learn what of the residents overlooking the the space can be used for. park needs to be taken into Aberdeenshire Council are still account when looking at how this considering options for the large space is developed. A community Nicol Park green space at Hillside which space catering for an older age could deliver 2 full size grass group may gather more local pitches and possibly floodlights support. and changing facilities. It is suggested that perhaps Hillside could use it as a Rugby/Football Create more sports pitches in the Pitch. At the Roadside of Findon area there is a redundant pitch, With the options for consideration however the facilities would need concering the large green space at improving and steps to establish Hillside, this item may already be ownership would need to be addressed going forward. taken.

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Themes Community Action Plan

THEME 4 a feeling of identity and belonging Community Activities for local residents. Addressing • Police Station building the issues around signage will help. This needs to be led by the • Porty Cabin community council and other • Raise the public image of community groups. Improvements Portlethen Police Station Portlethen and the surrounding to the overall appearance of the villages. town could help to generate a • Benches sense of place. If the Police Station building were Have more benches installed to become available (i.e. no longer around the area for people to use. used as a Police Station), that Encourage the idea of memorial consideration be made to asset benches being put in place. transferring it to the Community There are few places to just stop for use as a training centre or and have a seat. Aberdeenshire Portlethen Museum. Council funding for benches had Portlethen Police Station rear This is a longer term aspiration, been cut from Landscape Services however it is recommended that a budget, but the Council would robust plan for such a project be consider installing memorial developed in the meantime so that benches on Council land. should the police station or any Landscape Services currently other suitable building become recommend plastic recycled available the community would be benches which cost approx. £400 in a stronger position to take and these require little or no ownership. maintenance. It is suggested that The Porty Cabin could be sponsorship for benches could be transferred to the Community to sought. be used for the youth of THEME 5 Portlethen Bench at Old Porty Outdoor Spaces Aberdeenshire Council are currently considering the future of the • Allotments venue and should it be declared • Space next to Cornerstone surplus then groups will be • Nicol Park notified. The advice to any interested groups is to put a plan Allotments: Portlethen needs together as soon as possible as allotments - a local group has been there may be a lot of interest. campaigning for them for a long Look at how we can raise the time. public image of Portlethen and the Over the last few years there has surrounding villages. been a growing body of evidence There is a need to give Portlethen supporting the benefits of 14

Themes Community Action Plan

community growing, green spaces Space next to Cornerstone: and outdoor education for Proposal that this land be converted physical and mental wellbeing. into a public garden with fruit Horticultural and other tasks trees, edible plants, and a pavilion involved in community growing to shelter from the rain.

(such as regular exercise) alongside This was set aside for a café, space Little used play area healthier eating patterns (usually and shops, however the funding of the result of eating fresh produce £1million had been withdrawn. grown in the garden) are often The status of this area is still to be cited in such research. confirmed, however, the site could It is critical to get some ground for be used in the meantime for allotments in Portlethen and events such as a farmer’s market. Aberdeenshire Council have been More permanent options would looking at potential sites. There have to be carefully considered. are several small parks in the town Nicol Park be redeveloped as an which are overgrown and not asset with sport area and or play maintained and therefore not area Land beside Cornerstone used. Could these areas be used? This has already been covered in For example: next to the school - Theme 3 , however cognisance could this be used as a green needs to be taken of the diversity area? Most of the green areas in of the Portlethen Community and Hillside are still owned by the consider community spaces accessible developer. There are a lot of and suitable for all. green areas around Portlethen that have not been adopted by the Action Plan Council but it is unclear who owns There are a number of actions that and maintains them. can be taken forward from these There is currently interest for up to themes. The timescale will vary: Nicol Park Play Area 90 allotments at this time. some may be short-term; some Aberdeenshire Council are still may take up to 3 years to bring to considering options for the large fruition. However, support from green space at Hillside and this the people of Portlethen and the could potentially offer the allotment area will be vital. The community group an area of ground but will need to play its part in making there would have to be community these points work for the people engagement to ensure the and taking them forward in ways Portlethen residents are agreeable that perhaps cannot currently be to this. foreseen.

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Action Plan Summary Community Action Plan

PotentialKeypartners

Kincardineshire Development KincardineshireDevelopment Aberdeenshire Council Portlethen District & Community Council Portlethen Paths Group Portlethen Moss Conservation Group Aberdeenshire Council Portlethen District & Community Council Portlethen Paths Group Partnership Portlethen District & Community Council TrAK Kincardineshire Development Partnership

LongTerm Goal

Improved sense of place Easierto get around More connected community Paths and Green spaces high- lighted leading to increased usage and positiveon impacts health and wellbeing of residents andenvironment. the Safermore accessible to route amenities. Easierto get around More connected community

Actions

Shortto MediumTerm

Roads Department to look into what can be done to improve signage Community to inform Aberdeenshire Council of locations where there issuesis with signage Liaise with Paths Group to ensure no of effortsduplication Investigate Costs ExploreFunding Options Survey Community on their transport needs. Collate and share what transport options are available currently. If evidence suggests athat Community Transport Initiative may be a solution.Explore the options and potential delivery.

Issue/Need

Portlethen needssigns better to tell people they that are in Portlethen. The village requires more welcome signs There are three specific in areas the town but no actual town centre. Include Hillside of it wasas part Portlethen access Better to amenities could made bybe wideningthe path between the Primary School and police Station. Drystone wall maybe need to moved oralternative path created through the trees Older residents withand those young children would ause circularbus route. a Not viableoption a for commercial bus operator. Research and Information gathering and sharing exercise needed to establish what is available to community members andevidence build of need. The outcome coulda offer possible case a for Community Transport Initiative

Projects

THEME 1: Roads, Paths, Transportation Paths, Roads, 1: THEME New and improved road improved and New area. forthe signage upgrade a of Community path. To Transport: have Public busroute circular a Portlethen. around 16

Action Plan Summary Community Action Plan

PotentialKeypartners PotentialKeypartners

Association Aberdeenshire Council Portlethen District & Community Council Portlethen Paths Group Kincardineshire Development Partnership OurMearns Tourism Aberdeenshire Council Portlethen District & Community Council Portlethen Paths Group Kincardineshire Development Partnership Aberdeenshire Council Business Owners Property Developer Portlethen District & Community Council Hillside Council Parent Kincardineshire Development Partnership

LongTerm Goal LongTerm Goal

The Communities of Portlethen and Aberdeen area linked by coastal route. Improved access and opportunity to choose a greenertransport options Approach and theme applied to all retail areas Asset Transferof land to build a Community Centre

Actions

Actions

Shortto MediumTerm

Shortto MediumTerm

Funding to be sought for signage,noticeboards and landscaping Permissionand agreement sought from property developerfor changes. Gatherinformation and evidence of what is anddesired required localby the residence to build case action for a and support.

Explore widening of the scope workundertaken by the Paths Group to lookat howthis might be developed. anCreate open access group Build good relationships with Landowners

” ”

Creel walk

“ generation,

-

Issue/Need Issue/Need

Repair and creation of a Coastal Path and to encourage the recreation of a from Portlethen to Aberdeen. Encourage people to be more aware of theirenvironment and adopting greeneractivities. This area needs re with signs better and directions towards it. use Better needs to be made of the paths and the to area make clear a that it is shopping centre Hillside requires improved community facilities including play small area for children, areas older for children, and areas for families.Land is also required a for Community Centre.

Projects

Projects

THEME 2: Facilities and Amenities and Facilities 2: THEME The Green The Hillside

THEME 1: Roads, Paths, Transportation Paths, Roads, 1: THEME Repair and creationofand a Repair Path Coastal thecreation of Encourage around cycle paths more area the 17

Action Plan Summary Community Action Plan

PotentialKeypartners

PotentialKeypartners

FootballGroups Aberdeenshire Council Hillside SchoolParents Group Aberdeenshire Council Portlethen District & Community Council Young at Heart Run Porty Run Aberdeenshire Council Portlethen District & Community Council Rugby Group

Police Scotland Kincardineshire Development Partnership Aberdeenshire Council Kincardineshire Development Partnership Christian Group Child Minding Group

LongTerm Goal

LongTerm Goal

Development of the Parkaas well used outdoorspace

Asset TransferBuilding for Community use Asset TransferBuilding for Community use

what what

-

Actions

Actions

Shortto MediumTerm

Shortto MediumTerm

facilities. RoadsideFindon of Await the outcome of Aberdeenshire Council consideration of options the for large greenspace at Hillside which could2 deliverfull size grass pitches and possibly floodlightsand changing Following objectionslocal to previous proposalsout find what residents local to the site would like to see. Await outcome of Hillside green space Investigate the redundant pitch improvement to the facilities are required? Who owns the pitch?

Identify orform a group a with robust plan to take forward should the building become available Identify orform a group a with robust plan to take forward should the building become available

Issue/Need

Issue/Need

Sports pitches Hillside, in next to Hillside to School, be transferred to the Community use for eitheras pitches sport oras a park. Nicol Parkbe redeveloped as an asset with sport areaand or play orarea.a community space accessible all for moreCreate sports pitches

If If the Police Station building were to become available (i.e. no longerused as a Police Station), that considerationbe made to asset to transferring it the Community use for as a training centre orPortlethen Museum. The Porty Cabin could be transferred to the Community to be used the for youth of Portlethen

Projects

Projects

THEME 3: Sports and Recreation Facilities 3:Recreation Sports THEME and Sports pitches inHillside pitches Sports Park Nicol pitches Sports

THEME 4: Community Activities Community THEME 4: Police Station building building Station Police Porty Cabin Cabin Porty 18

Action Plan Summary Community Action Plan

PotentialKeypartners PotentialKeypartners

Portlethen District & Community Council Paths Group Aberdeenshire Council Portlethen District & Community Council Paths Group Allotment Group Aberdeenshire Council Paths Group Aberdeenshire Council Cornerstone Portlethen District & Community Council As detailed underTheme 3

LongTerm Goal

LongTerm Goal

Community Allotment Site with opportunities to improve health and wellbeing of Portlethen residents. Educational activies. As detailed underTheme 3

Actions Actions

Shortto MediumTerm Shortto MediumTerm

Address the issues around signage Make Improvements to the overallappearance of the town Encourageidea of the memorial in benches being put place. Encourageand promote sponsoring benches Aberdeenshire Councilare looking at potential sites includinglarge the green space at Hillside Establishownership of other green spaces Status of site to be confirmed Use temporary for events such as Farmers Market Identify and plan perma- more nent proposals As detailed underTheme 3

Issue/Need

Issue/Need

a local group hasbeen

-

the rain. the Portlethen needs allot- ments campaigning them for a for long time. Proposalland thisthat be converted into public a garden trees,with fruit edible plants, and a pavilion to from shelter As detailed underTheme 3

There isneed a to give Portlethen a feeling of identity and belonging local for residents. Have more benches installed around the area people for to use.

Projects Projects

THEME 4: Community Activities Community 4: THEME THEME 5: Outdoor Spaces 5:Outdoor THEME Raise the public image of public of image the Raise the and Portlethen villages. surrounding Benches Allotments next to Space Cornerstone Park Nicol 19

Community Action Plan

With grateful thanks for the help and assistance to: Aberdeenshire Council, Kincardineshire Development Partnership, The People of Portlethen, Old Portlethen, Findon, Downies, and Checkbar, Portlethen & District Community Council, Portlethen Moss Conservation Group,

Portlethen Woodland Trust, Portlethen Golf Club Ken Watson, Fred Stewart, Ian Kenn, Gareth Lewis Wikipedia Kincardineshire Development Partnership F9 Sheriff Court Building • Dunnottar Avenue • Stonehaven

Creative Agency Agency Creative AB39 2JD

Telephone: 01569 763 246 • Email: [email protected]

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

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