Garioch-Kintore-Community-Action

Kintore Community

Action Plan

October 2015 Location Map Community Action Plan

2 Introduction Community Action Plan

Origins and Development (with There were two churches in the thanks to local long-time resident Sheila village, The Free Church which was Gray) on Northern Road was burned down and is now a store and also the Parish Kintore is an ancient Royal Burgh, Church which stands in the square and which lies in the valley of the river Don, is very much used today. 12 miles from Aberdeen. It has been a Royal Burgh since 1190. It was granted The Parish Church was built in 1819 the Royal Coat of Arms in April 1959 on the site of an earlier church. It The Town House. by Lord Lyon King of Arms. is aligned east west and located in the heart of Kintore, at the junction Kintore has many Royal connections of a number of roads. A fairly large such as King Kenneth and King James graveyard extends to the south IV. Also Robert the Bruce was said to and east and has a number or old have stayed at Kintore Castle at Hall gravestones and an early double-sided Forest and in the woods at Thainstone. Pictish stone. The architect was the Kintore Castle is now a ruin. well-known Archibald Simpson, who designed many buildings in Aberdeen Kintore was once a large wooded area and the North East. His uncle Rev. John hence the names Tom Forest ,Ann’s Shand was the minister at that time. Forest , John’s Forest and Hall Forest .There was a lot of wild game in the Kintore had a population of around forest that was hunted for food and 2000 in the 1940’s but has grown a pleasure. lot over recent years with a lot more houses being built in the area. The The Town House in the square of population today is approximately 4500. Kintore is a magnifcent building. It was built on the old market green and was The old school, which had been a completed in1736 at a cost of £850. secondary as well as a primary school, Kintore Parish Church and War Memorial. was knocked down just short of its The battles of the Braes of Tuach hill 100th birthday to build a new primary resulted in the Oak Leaf becoming the school in the playing feld at the back crest for Kintore. in 2006. Long before there was a bridge over the river Don on the road to Balbithan Kintore was a busy village which and Fintray there was a ferry crossing catered for everyone’s needs. It had which took people and cattle across. three grocer’s shops, three small sweet The boatman’s name was George shops, a working bakery, an egg grading Marnoch also known as Boatie station, four petrol stations, three Marnoch. The iron bridge was built in garages, a shoe maker and shop, joiner 1882. and undertaker, butcher, chemist, and post offce. “Dibs” was a shop that did A canal ran through Kintore from leather repairs, watch repairs, gent’s Aberdeen to Port Elphinstone. The hairdresser, bookies, it didn’t matter travellers could stop off at the Bridge what you asked for they could help you Ale House which lies at the north end out. of the village for refreshments. It was a farm house for many years but is now derelict. Kintore School.

3 Introduction Community Action Plan

The Post Offce used to be behind the The Smiddy on Castlehill has been Town House before it moved across a busy place for a long time where the road onto the main street. The old horses were shod but now it is mainly shop behind the Town House was then wrought iron work. a small grocer’s. The Church Manse was at Goosecroft House on Forest The chemist and newsagent used Road until the house across the road to be in one shop at 1 Northern was bequeathed to the church. It was Road where the Tandoori is now. The The Post Offce and Community Hub. used as the manse for many years until chemist moved along the street but the recently when the minister moved to newsagent stayed. It was a busy shop, the East Park estate at the south end of the hub of the village. the village. Tom’s Forest Quarry has been a very The doctor’s surgery was on School busy place for many years employing Road for many years with one doctor many skilled and hard working men to serve the whole community. Then a and is still in operation today. There has new surgery was built at Inverurie and been a quarry there since 1830. the doctors now work from there. The Knackery at the Cottown was where cattle were taken when they Kintore railway station was closed in died and the carcasses were made into the 1950’s but is scheduled to reopen bone meal, blood manure, soap and in the next few years. lipstick.

There is still an active Fire Station run The Masonic Hall on Northern Road is by part time fremen. still being used.

The Kintore Pipe Band has run for Kintore had three busy working hotels many years and is still going strong but sadly there is only one left which is Kintore Pipe Band at the Summer Festival today, and plays annually at the Summer meantime being altered. Festival. The Kintore Police station was the hub The Bowling Club was started in 1932 of activity manned by the local Bobby. It and has a healthy membership today. is a lovely building that is now a family The Golf Club which lies over the Don home. The police now work from the Bridge near Balbithan has been there Inverurie Police Station. for quite a number of years and is well attended. Kintore is a very prosperous village but sadly lacks many of the facilities we had in years gone by.

Bowling Green.

4 Action Kintore Community Action Plan

Developing the Kintore • School Community Action Plan • Has potential to be a really good town. Facilities must match new In May 2014, after discussions with developments and not have to be Kintore & District Community Council added on as an afterthought like the about the possibility of a community Bothie action plan for Kintore, the Garioch • It’s fun Local Community Planning Group via The Garioch Partnership, CVSA What could be better? Summer festival volunteers. (now Aberdeenshire Voluntary Action) and local Community Learning & • Please do not knock down the Development staff took part in the Torryburn Hotel to build fats Kintore Summer Festival to ascertain (unfortunately now burned down June the views of the community on living 2105) and working in the town. This gave a • Enough houses, we need a hotel/ snapshot of the community’s views somewhere local to eat on what they liked about Kintore and • Leisure centre what could be better. Some of the most • Sort out any complications with the commonly held views are listed below. sale of old Kintore Hall • More of this kind of event (the Things we like about Kintore Summer Festival) • Scale down the railways station idea • I like coming to Kintore as it still to a “pod” stop, and make it happen has a community feel sooner • Lovely community spirit • We’d like a swimming pool • What we love is that everyone is • There could be more shops friendly, people speak to you • Would love to have a family friendly • Christmas decorations restaurant and get the railway • I love the community spirit and am station open. Summer Festival. impressed by the management of • Gateway Kintore would be great to the school (but so huge now so have hurry up with number two) • Please could we have an evening • Plenty tea rooms restaurant (family friendly one) • Good walks • Responsible dog walkers (no poo) • A good church • Bus service not on school road • Lovely community anymore. • Love the playpark • Train station needed • Buses and good facilities (eg. Co-op) • 2nd school NOW! • Been here 44 years and love it • More shops - why not offer rates • Good for dog walking free for frst year to encourage this? • Kintore is a great community and • Council listening to local views, has lovely open spaces especially regarding housing and • Love outdoor space, especially facilities Tuach Hill • Lack of facilities i.e. supermarket, • Community focused area • Good size • People are willing to talk to you • The amount of children and how friendly everyone is The Bothie. • Love the social spaces • Friendly family atmosphere

5 Action Kintore Community Action Plan

This initial community engagement village, a modifcation of the Planning exercise was followed up over the for Real® approach, in order to identify summer by an electronic “Survey areas of interest to them that would Monkey” questionnaire sent out using improve the quality of life in Kintore. the Kintore Mums Facebook group Some 48 people attended, which was and the Kintore.org website plus a disappointing turnout for the size local contacts. A hard copy version of the community, given that the fyer was also circulated to members had been delivered to every door by of some community groups where volunteers. Of these 50% were over digital participation might have proved 60, 25% were between 40-60, 6% were diffcult. There were 68 respondents between 18-40 and 19% were under to the electronic survey and 18 to 18. The gender split was 50/50. There the printed version, a total of 88, was strong consistency between the which represents only 2% of the total points raised at this event and those population. However the analysed highlighted in the survey and at the results gave a very similar picture to previous year’s Summer Festival. the views expressed at the May event, Event fyer. and our view is that they could be The second event was two weeks later. accepted as useful evidence of local This time 30 residents were joined opinion. The top three points that by a number of community planning people liked about Kintore were: partners to look at the issues that had been raised previously, to prioritise 1. The community spirit these and develop actions from them 2. Its location, in particular the to feature in the action plan. commuting distance from Aberdeen 3. It’s a friendly and safe place It was clear from the three phases of community consultation that there The main points where people felt were four main areas of concern, Community Consultation. improvements could be made were: namely the need for

1. More local facilities, in particular • more local facilities, in particular shops/supermarket/petrol station/ shops/supermarket/petrol station/ pub/hotel/restaurant pub/hotel/restaurant 2. Transport links - roads/rail/bus • better transport links - roads/rail/ services bus services 3. Schools, leisure and community • supplementary capacity in schools, facilities leisure and community facilities 4. Walks and paths • additional walks and paths and other environmental improvements In spring 2015 two more structured engagement sessions were organised under the heading Action Kintore These main issues and the other with the support of Kintore & District outcomes of the consultation have Community Council. been used to create this Action Plan to help the community to focus and The frst of these took the form of a develop their future goals and to drop-in where residents were invited inform the Garioch Local Community to place themed cards on a map of the Plan.

Community Consultation.

6 The Garioch Community Plan Community Action Plan

The Garioch Community Plan social inclusion, welfare reform, strong, 2013 - 2016 resilient, safe communities, and early intervention. Currently there is one The Garioch Local Community specifc action for Kintore, action 3.3 Plan brings together the key actions which is: and projects of a number of public agencies. It also includes actions To work with the community of based on consultation with the local Kintore to identify the needs and communities and local community aspirations of the community Summer display outside the Town House. groups. The plan can be accessed on through a community-wide the following link: engagement www.ouraberdeenshire.org.uk/images/ Many of the other actions in this media/document_library/minutes/local_ plan are high level and Garioch- groups/garioch/garioch%20community%20 wide, and are intended to improve plan%20%202013-16%20fnal.pdf the quality of life and have an impact across the whole area. It is pleasing The plan is a live document that is to see that the actions in the Kintore updated every six weeks to allow new Community Action Plan are entirely actions to be added and completed complementary to those in the local ones to be removed. The main priority community plan. outcomes are around the themes of

Outside the Town House.

The Fountain.

7 Specifc Actions Community Action Plan

Kintore Community Action expressed for local evening classes, a Plan multi-gym, more sporting and active life-style opportunities, homework Many issues were raised through and other after-school clubs and so consultation process, and these, as on, publicly accessible disabled toilets, well as the four main areas of concern as well as becoming a focal point for already mentioned are described in the community. A skate-boarding park more detail below under a series of is also seen as a valuable additional to Kintore School. headings. The Community Council and Kintore and this project is being taken community planning partners are very forward by the Scouts. aware that some of these issues will be easier to take forward than others. Transport The Community Council is already exploring a renewable energy scheme The re-opening of the railway station as a way of funding some of these in Kintore is eagerly awaited as projects but this might be diffcult due an alternative commuter route to to recent tariff changes proposed by Aberdeen and elsewhere. Residents the government. would like to see improvements to the evening bus service and there are some Community Facilities: concerns about bus routes and bus stops, which have been raised with the The growth in population in Kintore Garioch Area Bus Forum. has not been matched with an adequate increase in community Environment facilities. A community hub built in the fats on Northern Road was only Kintore is situated in beautiful open for a short while, and the space countryside in the heart of the is now leased by a local voluntary Garioch. Many residents are keen to All weather pitch. organisation. The iconic Town House maintain and preserve the environment is rented out in the meantime by the and to enhance it by improving paths, Council for business use, although a creating a local nature reserve and working group has been set up to look cleaning up litter, in particular dog mess at its long term future. The community and establishing a community garden is fortunate to have The Bothie, as and community composting scheme. a resource for its young people and Mention was made of the Gauchhill other community groups, but more Woods and the felds alongside Tom’s is needed as the teenage population Forest Road which are wildlife rich, grows. The community space built into as well as Hall Forest and Rollo Mire, the primary school has had to be used an area of wet woodland swamp to for additional classroom space. It is the west of the village. It is felt that a widely anticipated this will be returned new group along the lines of Greener to community use in due course. A Kemnay would be useful in taking second primary school is planned but forward these actions. it has been delayed due to diffculties in acquiring land. Although it will provide additional sports and leisure facilities, a dedicated community-run centre and sports hub akin to the AXIS centre in

Kintore Village Hall. Newmachar or MACBI at Mintlaw is seen as an ideal solution for Kintore. This building would meet the needs

8 Specifc Actions Community Action Plan

Health and Wellbeing Local Services

Access to GP and other health services Perhaps the most commonly voiced was seen as problematic by some comment during the consultation participants, and there is a desire to was the lack of places to socialise and maintain a GP surgery in Kintore. The shop in Kintore. At the time of the availability of care, including respite consultation the last remaining pub in care, for a growing elderly population the village had closed, although now was fagged up, as was the need for at the time of writing, there is hope The pub and the Square. good liaison between carers, patients that it will reopen. There are several and professionals. There were several “takeaways” and a daytime coffee shop, requests for the blood donor service but nowhere to enjoy a meal with to hold sessions in Kintore. family and friends. The nearest large supermarket is in Inverurie, with a Community Safety couple of local smaller stores, and one in the offng. Certainly there are less As might be expected in an area of shops than many years ago, refecting Scotland with a very low rate of crime society’s changing shopping habits and the main message here was how safe our reliance on the motor car. people felt in their community. The main action therefore for this plan is to Broadband keep the community feeling safe. There were some concerns expressed about Despite the fbre broadband upgraded road safety and the need for more in 2014, speeds and connectivity remain pedestrian crossings when the new an issue for many community members, school and more housing developments with widespread dissatisfaction with were built. the service.

Communication The heart of Kintore. Housing Kintore benefts from a community Much of the new development newsletter Kintore Konnect, produced in Kintore has been of large, and circulated widely by the Parish “executive” family homes, creating Church; it has several active Facebook a feel of uniformity rather than a groups, most notable Kintore Mums, mixed community. While current and an active website, Kintore.org run planning policy ensures that there is by a community volunteer. However it a percentage of affordable housing became clear during the consultation in each development, it would be that despite these communication good to see a mixture of appropriate, tools many community members were affordable housing to buy or rent that unaware of existing community activity. meets the needs of all members of the community, from the youngest to A summarised Action Plan for each of the oldest. It would also be good if the these headings follows: community’s voice was heard more by developers and planners.

Looking out from the Church.

9 Action Plan Summary Community Action Plan By When? By When? By 2020 2016 ongoing ongoing review 2017 review 2016 ongoing 2018 ongoing 2016/17 ongoing 2019 ongoing review 2016 review 2018 2018 ongoing ongoing

developers developers

Housing Government

Ouside Agencies Ouside Agencies Ouside Sports Scotland NHS Grampian Lottery Council Aberdeenshire Other funders Planning, Associations, Developers Council, Aberdeenshire Scottish Aberdeenshire Council ECS Aberdeenshire

Transport Scotland Transport Paths For All Paths For NHS Grampian SUSTRANS

NHS Grampian

Partnership Partnership KDCC, Aberdeenshire Council, Aberdeenshire KDCC, KDCC Garioch Local Community Garioch Local Community Scotland, Police KDCC, Garioch & North Marr Group Safety Community KDCC Planning Group, the Kintore the Kintore Planning Group, Community Community Economic Development AC

KDCC, the Kintore Community the Kintore KDCC,

NESTRANS Aberdeenshire Council Aberdeenshire Council, Community Kintore Bus Forum, Area Garioch Council Aberdeenshire Council, Aberdeenshire KDCC, the wider community as above as above K&DCC, Aberdeenshire Council Aberdeenshire K&DCC, Schools Warden, Dog Garioch H&SC Locality KDCC, Group, AVA Group,

How will this be taken forward? forward? this be taken will How forward? this be taken will How Independent Community Independent Community Independent Group/Private Initiative Group/Private Initiative Group/Private

Private business BT Scotland Aberdeenshire Council, KDCC Council, Aberdeenshire KDCC Kintore Scouts Kintore Action Kintore

group - a new Kintore” “Greener

group - a new Kintore” “Greener “Greener Kintore” - a new group - a new Kintore” “Greener

Action Action purpose built community a new provide To the possibility of a blood donor session investigate To and sports centre/community hub and sports centre/community in Kintore here” safe “I feel maintain To housing affordable appropriate, provide To

or restaurant hotel, pub, friendly a local family have To shops and more speed and connectivity broadband improve To To ensure a sustainable future for the Town House Town the for a sustainable future ensure To communication improve To skatepark a new provide To facilities school and community improve To To develop the Bothie develop To To reopen the railway station the railway reopen To bus services and routes improve To of paths a network develop To

reserve a nature create To To establish a community garden/composting garden/composting establish a community To scheme/allotments litter/dog mess reduce To better access to GP and other health provide To services

10 Action Plan Summary Community Action Plan review 2017 review By When? By When? By 2016 ongoing 2020 2016 ongoing ongoing ongoing 2018 2016/17 ongoing 2019 ongoing review 2016 review 2018 2018 ongoing ongoing

developers developers

Housing Government Planning, Associations, Council, Aberdeenshire Ouside Agencies Ouside Agencies Ouside Scottish Sports Scotland NHS Grampian Lottery Council Aberdeenshire Other funders Developers

Aberdeenshire Council ECS Aberdeenshire

Transport Scotland Transport Paths For All Paths For NHS Grampian SUSTRANS

NHS Grampian

AC Economic Development AC Partnership Partnership KDCC, Aberdeenshire Council, Aberdeenshire KDCC, KDCC Garioch Local Community Garioch Local Community Scotland, Police KDCC, Garioch & North Marr Group Safety Community KDCC Planning Group, the Kintore the Kintore Planning Group, Community Community KDCC, the Kintore Community the Kintore KDCC,

How will this be taken forward? forward? this be taken will How forward? this be taken will How Private business BT Scotland Independent Community Independent Community Independent KDCC Group/Private Initiative Group/Private Initiative Group/Private

Aberdeenshire Council, KDCC Council, Aberdeenshire Kintore Scouts Kintore Action Kintore

group - a new Kintore” “Greener

group - a new Kintore” “Greener “Greener Kintore” - a new group - a new Kintore” “Greener

or restaurant hotel, pub, friendly a local family have To shops and more speed and connectivity broadband improve To Action Action communication improve To purpose built community a new provide To the possibility of a blood donor session investigate To and sports centre/community hub and sports centre/community in Kintore here” safe “I feel maintain To housing affordable appropriate, provide To

To ensure a sustainable future for the Town House Town the for a sustainable future ensure To skatepark a new provide To facilities school and community improve To To develop the Bothie develop To To reopen the railway station the railway reopen To bus services and routes improve To of paths a network develop To

11 Making It Real CommunityCommunity Action Action Plan Plan

This booklet is one of a series attractive, easy to read, professionally It is important that this booklet is produced by the Local Rural printed format. seen by all concerned as an account of Partnerships for a number of the community’s views at the time of communities in Aberdeenshire. This information can now guide the the latest consultation, and that it will community and Community Planning have to be regularly updated. As some This initiative is sponsored by Partners in drawing up detailed action projects are completed, other issues Aberdeenshire Community Planning plans to implement the top priorities will arise and take their place in future Partnership and run by Aberdeenshire as well as addressing the other issues versions of the community plan. Local Rural Partnerships. The aim is to which have been identifed. For each provide community action plans in an priority or issue this will involve It is recommended that this plan has a agreeing who should be involved, what maximum life of fve years resources will be needed and target dates for completion. It is hoped that this process will be driven by representatives of the community with support - moral, technical and fnancial - from the relevant Partners.

Kintore & District Community Council would like to thank

• the community of Kintore for its participation in this project

• the three Ward 12 Councillors for their encouragement

• Action Kintore for the use of its brand name

• The Garioch Partnership, Aberdeenshire Voluntary Action and CLD staff for their direction and encouragement

October 2015 THE GArIOCH PArTnErSHIP c/o Wyness Hall • Jackson Street • Inverurie • AB51 3QB T: 01467628801 • M: 07845701994 • [email protected]