Strathard Action Plan 16pp:Layout 1 04/06/2008 14:27 Page 1 2008 - 2011 COMMUNITYACTIONPLAN STRATHARD COMMUNITY ACTION PLAN 2008 - 2011 STRATHARD COMMUNITY FUTURES STEERING GROUP LOCH LOMOND & THE TROSSACHS NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY LOCH LOMOND & THE TROSSACHS COMMUNITY FUTURES PROGRAMME Strathard Action Plan 16pp:Layout 1 04/06/2008 14:27 Page 2 INTRO COMMUNITYACTIONPLAN STRATHARD COMMUNITY ACTION PLAN The communities of Strathard prepared this – our second Community Action Plan - with the assistance of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Community Futures Programme. The plan revises and replaces our initial Community Action Plan which is now out of date. We have achieved some of the priorities in that Plan – such as: I Regular publication of the Strathard News I Environmental upgrade of car park I Feasibility study to examine options for a new bridge over the river in Aberfoyle I Youth Survey I A revived Gala Day in Aberfoyle I Developing the path network - ongoing I Historic route - ongoing I Completion of the first phase of the playpark in Aberfoyle I Facilitated the setting up of the Kinlochard Village Hall Committee Some other priorities are carried forward, while a few important issues have been identified to reflect the changes in our community over the last few years. The Plan summarises community views on I Strathard now I the vision for our future I the issues that matter most and I priorities for action The Plan makes a clear statement about the type of place that the community council area of Strathard aims to be – and what needs to be done. Page 2 Strathard Action Plan 16pp:Layout 1 04/06/2008 14:27 Page 3 COMMUNITYACTIONPLAN INTRO STRATHARD COMMUNITY FUTURES STEERING GROUP AND SUPPORT A local Community Futures Steering Group was established by Strathard Community Trust and the Community Council. Members were Ros Dingwall, Maureen Campbell, Lesley Quirk, Margaret Neufeld, Diana Carmody, Mary Phillips, Ian Davison Porter, Morna Ferguson and Stuart McLaren. Kerry Clow was employed as the local Community Profiler, Dorothy Taylor and Tim Messer from Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority worked with the Steering Group to support the consultation process. LOCAL PEOPLE HAVE THEIR SAY The Plan was prepared following extensive consultation with the community over a six month period from May to October 2007.Consultation included: I A series of stakeholder interviews with different groups and individuals representing all aspects of the community. I A community views survey delivered to all households. I A community views survey regarding the sale of Aberfoyle Motors I A survey of pupils at Aberfoyle and Inversnaid Primary School. I A survey of High School pupils age 11– 18 took place in October 2005 I A community profile detailing facts and figures about the community. I A Local Plan Open Day. I A Community Futures ‘Open Day’. 256 SURVEY FORMS WERE COMPLETED FROM THE 568 HOUSEHOLDS 21STAKEHOLDER INTERVIEWS WERE HELD WITH LOCAL GROUPS AND INDIVIDUALS 13PRIMARY SCHOOL PUPILS CONTRIBUTED TO THE SURVEY 237 SURVEY FORMS WERE COMPLETED REGARDING THE SALE OF ABERFOYLE MOTORS 40 PEOPLE ATTENDED THE LOCAL PLAN OPEN DAY 70 PEOPLE ATTENDED THE COMMUNITY FUTURES OPEN DAY Page 3 Strathard Action Plan 16pp:Layout 1 04/06/2008 14:28 Page 4 SURVEYCOMMUNITYACTIONPLAN OURCOMMUNITYNOW We have summarised the views from the COMMUNITY VIEWS SURVEY. COMMUNITY VIEWS SURVEY WHAT WE LIKE - TOP SIX % Responses 1 Scenery, environment, natural beauty & tranquillity 74% 2 People & community spirit 36% 3 Local facilities & amenities 29% 4 Safety 19% 5 Access to outdoor activities 11% 6 Location 8% “Wonderful countryside – lochs, hills, woods.” “The people are friendly, the scenery is beautiful.” “Village shops – Co-op opening times marvellous and well stocked, local Post Office is vital to the community.” “The area is friendly and one that you feel safe in.” “Great opportunities for outdoor activities.” “Proximity to major towns and cities, yet retaining a rural feel to it.” WHAT WE DON’T LIKE - TOP SEVEN % Responses 1 Condition & lack of maintenance of roads & verges 54% 2 Public transport 26% 3 Community facilities & activities 20% Environmental maintenance – the shabby look & 4 19% litter problems 5 Poor local services 19% 6 Traffic & parking 17% 7 Anti social behaviour 16% “The state of the roads, they do need to be maintained, the ditches, drains and verges also.” “Lack of joined up public transport “Lack of sports facilities despite being a tourist centre “Too much signage in Aberfoyle “The way the council makes rules that allow it to take away the skip – not acceptable to assume those without cars can make trips to other villages such as Callander” “Serious lack of affordable houses for local families” “Coaches travelling through Inversnaid are far too heavy for the road and lack of passing places on the B829” “Fishermen, overnight camping and drinking – LITTER!” Page 4 Strathard Action Plan 16pp:Layout 1 04/06/2008 14:28 Page 5 COMMUNITYACTIONPLANPROFILE OURCOMMUNITYNOW A summary of the information from the COMMUNITY PROFILE. COMMUNITY PROFILE 2007 Location Strathard is located within the spectacular scenery of the Trossachs. Glasgow is some 25 miles to the south and Stirling 20 miles to the east. With a population of around 1,000 it stretches westwards along the B829 from Braeval to Inversnaid taking in the communities of Aberfoyle (the most populous centre), Kinlochard, Inversnaid and Stronachlachar. Population The population of Strathard was 1352 at the time of the 2001 census. The age profile is fairly balanced, although like other areas of rural Scotland we do have a slightly higher than national average of older people. Interestingly, we seem to have a higher percentage of 16 – 19year olds than other rural and urban areas of Scotland. Housing Social rented homes account for 16% of the housing from either the council or housing associations. This is higher than average within the National Park (14%), but much lower than that of Stirling Council Area (23%) or for Scotland as a whole (28%). Since the 2001 Census Rural Stirling Housing Association has completed the development of affordable housing at Kirkton Farm and Stronachlachar, however there is still a demand for homes which will allow lower income families and first time buyers to stay in the area. Employment & the Local Economy Aberfoyle is a major day trip destination for visitors from the central belt and people touring Scotland. A local estimate of the proportion of the Strathard workforce engaged in tourism is in the order of 35 to 40%. 20% of employment in the area is in hotels, compared with 15% across the National Park as a whole, and 6% across Scotland. Page 5 Strathard Action Plan 16pp:Layout 1 04/06/2008 14:28 Page 6 PROFILECOMMUNITYACTIONPLAN Education & Training There are 2 Primary Schools in the area. Inversnaid Primary - one of the remotest in Stirlingshire - has a school roll of 4 and Aberfoyle Primary has a roll of 79. We also have a pre-school nursery, Trossachs Out of School Care and toddler groups. The majority of high school pupils travel by bus to McLaren High School in Callander and others travel to Balfron High. Health and SocialCare Aberfoyle Medical Practice is a three-doctor practice with surgeries at the medical centre in Aberfoyle and in Buchlyvie. There are mid-wives, health visitors and a district nurse present, a chiropodist and physiotherapist attend the surgery. A dispensary is also available within the medical centre. The nearest provision for dentist, optician and chemist is Callander and Balfron. Community Facilities & Activities There is a wide range of community and sports facilities available throughout the area - Village Halls, Play Parks, Golf Course, and access to football, water sports and bowling. However, without transport they are not all easily accessible and all facilities are in need of improvement. The nearest indoor sports centre is the McLaren Leisure Centre in Callander. Environment & Outdoor Recreation There is a network of local paths with something for everyone, residents and visitors, walkers, cyclists, horse-riders, dog walkers, buggy pushers and joggers. David Marshall Lodge offers the high wire forest adventure course and some of the most spectacular views in the area, one taking in the spectacular scenery across Loch Ard Forest to Ben Lomond. There is a host of landscape designations in the area including SSSI’s, Ancient Woodlands and the RSPB reserve at Inversnaid. Heritage The Garrison at Inversnaid, McGregor of Glengyle burial ground, Duchray Castle, Aberfoyle School and the Parish Church are a few of the many listed buildings recorded in the Strathard area. Amongst the historic figures of the area is Reverend Robert Kirk, a scholar, and author of the first translation of the Book of Psalms into Gaelic. Page 6 Strathard Action Plan 16pp:Layout 1 04/06/2008 14:28 Page 7 COMMUNITYACTIONPLANVISION OUR VISION FOR THE FUTURE OF STRATHARD STRATHARD THE GATEWAY TO THE TROSSACHST Over the next three years the communities of Strathard - Aberfoyle, Kinlochard and Inversnaid - will work together to establish safe and sustainable communities and enhance their role as The Gateway to the Trossachs. Strathard will continue to develop and improve by, I Preserving and enhancing our villages and settlements with sympathetic improvements I Ensuring that residents benefit from good community and recreational facilities and good access to vital rural services. I Promoting and developing visitor attractions and events