Aberdeenshire Council

Braemar Mews and Parking Improvements Background

• Requirement to allow coaches to drop off visitors in the town centre and park off site. (At the showground) • Requirement to create additional controlled car parking spaces for visitors within Braemar. A) Braemar Mews Coach Park - Existing

Unauthorised Car Parking A) Braemar Mews Coach Park - Existing

• Advantages – Parking for several coaches – Ad-hoc (Unauthorised) parking for several cars • Disadvantages – Unauthorised car parking – Difficulties accessing the coach park – Unsightly – Creates potentially unsafe car/coach/pedestrian conflicts B) Braemar Mews Coach Park - Desired

B) Braemar Mews Coach Park - Desired

• Advantages – Pick up/Drop off for several coaches – Parking for several cars – Coach park easier to access • Disadvantages – Difficulties accessing the car parking off Cluniebank – Visual impact of car parking – Unable to use the area in front of the Mews for local events – No parking for coaches – Conservation area/planning requirements – Cost of scheme C) Braemar Mews Coach Park - Proposed

C) Braemar Mews Coach Park - Proposed

• Advantages – Creates Public Open Space in the centre of Braemar – May encourage exploration of the Mews – Creates opportunity for seating area and cycle stands – Opens up the Christmas tree area – Coach park easier to access – Layout encourages swift turnaround of coaches – Cost of scheme • Disadvantages – No additional car parking at the Mews (10 additional spaces created at Balnellan Road) – No parking for coaches D) Balnellan Road - Existing

D) Balnellan Road - Existing

• Advantages – Operates well • Disadvantages – Layout could hold additional vehicles – All existing spaces lined in accordance with old standard – Difficulty in accessing the steps at the west end of the car park E) Balnellan Road – Proposed - Version 1

E) Balnellan Road – Proposed - Version 1

• Advantages – 10 additional spaces created – Minor work required – New spaces will be to the new standard (Larger) – Access to the steps at the west end of the car park would be clearer – Car park will be one way in and one way out • Disadvantages – Difficulties in using the car park for local events F) Balnellan Road – Proposed - Version 2

F) Balnellan Road – Proposed - Version 2

• Advantages – 10 additional spaces created – Minor work required – New spaces will be to the new standard (Larger) – Ease of using the car park for local events – Access to the steps at the west end of the car park would be clearer – Ease of removal of demountable bollards to open up into one car park if required • Disadvantages – Require removal of demountable bollards to open up into one car park if required – Both car parks will be one way in/out G) Public Realm Opportunity

Public Realm Opportunity?

Public space currently has 4 uses: 1 – signage + wayfinding 2 – seating 3 – pedestrian access 4 –planting Public Realm Opportunity? 1 - Wayfinding piece relocated to 4 – Planting as a strip at front of building central location

3 - Pedestrian route clearly defined

2 - Gathering area

Introducing Structure Public Realm Opportunity?

Integrated Planter

Integrated Street Co-ordinated Furniture Signage Opportunity

Christmas Tree

Gathering Area

Display Opportunity

Gathering Area

Sketch Views for Discussion Public Realm Opportunity?

Informal seating

Sketch Views for Discussion G) Public Realm Opportunity • Christmas Tree – Is this currently in the best location? • Bomb – Is this currently in the best location? • Flags – Are these currently in the best location? – If not, what story does it tell and where could they be better located? • Building, Street Furniture & Associate Signage – Could this be better displayed? • Way Finding / Interpretation – Linking in with Braemar visitor strategy? Discussion