Kilsyth and The Kelvin Valley Framework & Action Plan 8833 / May 2018 Image Image © Brian Cairns 2015 Contents 1.0 INTRODUCTION & CONTEXT 2.0 CONTEXT 3.0 VISION & STRATEGIC APPROACH 4.0 PARTNERSHIP DELIVERY 5.0 BRANDING & PROMOTION 6.0 MONITORING 7.0 KILSYTH 8.0 THE KELVIN VALLEY 9.0 DELIVERY STRATEGY APPENDIX - COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT REPORT Image Image © Brian Cairns 2015 Image Image © Brian Cairns 2015 4 1. Introduction 1.1 Kilsyth and The Kelvin Valley offers some of the high street needs to address the 1.5 Better promoted and linked, these the Central Belts most attractive scenery challenges of town centres associated attractions can offer a stronger and provides a wide range of accessible with changing patterns of retailing and ‘destination’ and create a more powerful attractions. Kilsyth is the main town and capture new opportunities by building a sense of place and a fuller visitor the centre for services within the Valley. more diverse mixed-use economy to experience with benefits to both Kilsyth protect its appeal and sustainability. town centre and individual visitor The study looks at the opportunities to attractions. address the challenges of building on the 1.3 Kilsyth and The Kelvin Valley need to be appeal of place in a manner that can offer seen together with town and country and 1.6 The local community has had a very active economic, social and environmental secondary local centres and attractions role in supporting and advancing projects. benefits for both residents and visitors. operating to each others mutual benefit. Currently, a major concern is the decline The key elements of the study have been in activity within Kilsyth’s town centre. Re- to look at mechanisms to: 1.4 The Kelvin Valley possesses a broad range building connections and promoting the of visitor attractions including: collective value of The Kelvin Valley and • strengthen the links between attractions • Forth and Clyde Canal Kilsyth as a place of appeal are seen as within The Kelvin Valley and Kilsyth town • Colzium Estate and Visitor Centre priorities within local communities. centre to secure addition visits/footfall • Antonine Wall World Heritage Site • build on the successful partnerships with • Dumbreck Marshes 1.7 This vision and strategy document brings local groups to support engagement and • Banton Loch together a range of potential projects the delivery of projects • Dullatur Nature Reserve including projects already underway and • Identify projects that address local • A well developed path network supported through LEADER, Heritage priorities and can secure new funding and Lottery Fund and other initiatives. The partnership delivery. However the range of attractions and vision and strategy sets out a shared facilities available collectively do not project based ambition that supports the 1.2 Kilsyth is an important traditional town easily translate into a defined sense of delivery of projects and funding. centre, transport interchange, and destination and a coherent visitor offer. destination. Like many smaller local centres IronsideFarrar for North Lanarkshire Council | 8833 | May 2018 5 Image Image © Brian Cairns 2015 6 2. Context Community Name of document Commissioned / Authored Date Local residents, and in particular, those that 1 Kelvin Valley Action Plan North Lanarkshire Council Sept 2003 have given their time to be a part of the Kilsyth and Villages Community Forum, 2 A Vision Statement for a Kelvin Valley Country Park Kilsyth & Villages Community Forum Oct 2004 Friends of Kelvin Valley or the Kilsyth Community Council have been proactively 3 Update Kelvin Valley Action Plan North Lanarkshire Council Feb 2010 involved in enhancing and developing the future of Kilsyth and The Kelvin Valley. 4 A New Vision for a Kelvin Valley Park (including Kilsyth & Villages Community Forum & 2012 public response summary) Friends of Kelvin Valley Document Context 5 Draft Kelvin Valley Action Plan 2 North Lanarkshire Council May 2014 This document builds upon and acknowledges progress made from previous versions of the Kelvin Valley Action Plan, taking into account the 2004 vision statement and ‘A New Vision for a Kelvin Valley Park’ This document is a refreshed Action Plan that provides an updated community vision for Kilsyth Town Centre and The Kelvin Valley, within a coordinated, forward- looking strategic framework. IronsideFarrar for North Lanarkshire Council | 8833 | May 2018 7 ““To reassert Kilsyth’s place as the principle centre for accessing shops and services within the Kelvin Valley, increasing footfall and building a more sustainable future as a part of a wider Kelvin Valley destination that promotes itself as a national greenspace asset, and celebrates its unique network of cultural, natural heritage and recreational attractions connected by a quality paths and active leisure routes” Vision for Kilsyth & The Kelvin Valley Image Image © Brian Cairns 2015 8 3. Community Vision & Strategic Approach Community Vision Framework of Projects “To reassert Kilsyth’s place as the 3.1 Ensuring that the community remains vibrant 3.4 There is not one single solution to these principle centre for accessing shops and challenges. Funding and resources are and Kilsyth town centre can flourish, as a viable services within the Kelvin Valley, mixed-use centre, are important in terms of increasing footfall and building a more limited and it is important to be realistic and securing a robust, sustainable economy for the sustainable future as a part of a wider set priorities for what can be achieved. town and The Kelvin Valley. Kelvin Valley destination that promotes itself as a national greenspace asset, and 3.5 Several well targeted smaller changes, Building a stronger sense of place that celebrates its unique network of cultural, working to a common end, can help recognises the importance of vibrant and vital natural heritage and recreational residents, businesses and visitors aware of local centres to sustainable living is at the heart attractions connected by a quality paths positive change. Connecting up the key of the community vision. Stronger more and active leisure routes” elements and promoting positive appealing places supports the needs of both experiences for residents and visitors is local residents and visitors and help sustain 3.3 It is important that Kilsyth is promoted and important. In today’s era of internet ratings, local facilities (shops/services) and secure new as a destination town. Multiple attraction/ the importance of a positive social-media investment and growth. The main challenges activity destinations close to major urban comment and a web presence should not are to: areas have enduring appeal and typically be underestimated. • raising the profile, sense of place and support multiple visits across a wide range of appeal of the Kelvin Valley; visitor interests. Promoting the range of 3.6 The list of potential projects should be regularly updated to respond to the • increase the number of visitors to the area attractions, opportunities, and support availability of resources, new challenges and including the town centre; and services (cafes/ transport/ food & beverage/ opportunity. Regular updating of the project • increase visitor spend in Kilsyth Town retail) requires a shared and collective list, with celebration of achievements, can Centre and attractions in The Kelvin Valley approach with all local facilities promoting the network of attractions across the area. help to empower local stakeholders and • Building a stronger and more coherent encourage a sense of purpose and action. offer around the diverse leisure and visitor attractions.: IronsideFarrar for North Lanarkshire Council | 8833 | May 2018 9 1. Antonine Wall 2. Forth and Clyde Canal 3. Colzium House and Estate 4. Bar Hill Fort 5. Croy Hill & Croy Hill Fort 6. Auchenstarry 7. Craigmarloch & Stables 8. Dumbreck Marsh 9. Banton Loch/ Battlefield Site Selected attractions within The Kelvin Valley 10 4. Partnership Delivery 4.1 As lead partner, North Lanarkshire Council 4.3 A Stakeholder Forum comprising NLC, key (NLC), will work with key partners Kilsyth & partners, K&VCF, KCC and FoKV should be Villages Community Forum (K&VCF), Kilsyth responsible for developing overview Community Council (KCC) and Friends of elements. This high level coordination is Kelvin Valley (FoKV) to coordinate the delivery necessary to truly realise the mutual benefit of the Action Plan. that a better-linked Kilsyth within The Kelvin Valley would bring. The steering group Funding for delivery may come from a range should be responsible for overseeing, of sources, including: coordinating, developing, prioritising, • The Kelvin Valley and Falkirk LEADER updating and delivering on the list of Actions • Town Centre Regeneration Fund potential projects for Kilsyth and The Kelvin 1. Set up a Stakeholder Forum to deliver Valley, in partnership with the local • Active Travel / SUSTRANS the Action Plan community and other organisations as • Central Scotland Green Network Funds appropriate. 2. Stakeholder Forum to develop and • Heritage and Lottery Funders coordinate overview elements such as a common branding, project • Other Community Accessed Funds connections, web 4.2 A strong, collaborative approach will continue 3. Adopt the Action Plan projects and to ensure that the various individuals, entities, advance priority projects to secure organisations and operators within the locality, work together to develop Kilsyth and delivery the Kelvin Valley to its strengths while 4. Keep the Action Plan project list up to presenting a coherence to visitors about the date range of experiences and broad based attractions on offer. IronsideFarrar for North Lanarkshire Council | 8833 | May 2018 11 5. Branding & Promotion 5.1 Kilsyth and The Kelvin Valley boast a broad 5.4 Effort should be made to diversify Actions range of tourist attractions linked by promotion through a range of media geographical proximity. Care should be taken including traditional and new (social) media, 5. Develop a common brand and /or in developing a branding that acts as an in line with a better understanding of the recognisable destination logo for the ‘umbrella’ for all of the local attractions.