Public invited to Falconer Museum to rate community suggestions for Forres Heritage Quarter at Falconer Museum
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AROUND 200 people attended a public consultation at the Falconer Museum on the future of the town’s conservation area.
Moray Council organised the display on the afternoon of Thursday, February 22, focused on exploring ways to develop, promote and conserve Forres’ historic character to help bring social and economic benefits to the community.
Development project officer Kirsty Shand confirmed the event followed on from three workshops at the museum in January, organised to explore opportunities for enterprise, tourism, education and learning.
She said: “We invited members of community groups, organisations, local councillors, representatives from schools, local business/property owners and members of the public.
“The purpose of the public event was to generate ideas, identify support from the community and evidence of a demand to create a ‘Heritage Quarter’, an idea suggested by Forres Area Community Trust.
“Finding a new model for the museum would need to be central to plans for a Heritage Quarter - it’s clear that the community supports this.”
Attendees reviewed ideas on display panels in the centre of the museum and shared their thoughts on what a Forres Heritage Quarter could feature. Topics included: generating income; encouraging visits; community engagement; area improvement; education; and intergenerational involvement.
All of the information from the workshops and public event will be collated.
A project management group will then draft and share a Heritage Quarter development plan. A development group will be formed to finalise and move the plan forward. This will be submitted as a supporting document as part of the application for the delivery phase of the Forres Conservation and Heritage Scheme.
Kirsty said: “With the Forres Conservation and Heritage Scheme, if bids for the delivery phase are successful, we look to deliver a five year scheme that will offer public realm improvements, grants for traditional building repairs, training, interpretation, community heritage activities and greening of the conservation area.
“Our aim is to make Forres an even better place to stay, work and visit.
“Together, with help and ideas from our partners and the community, we will find ways to develop, promote and protect the historic character of Forres’ conservation area, reducing barriers of engagement while increasing knowledge of heritage and sense of place.”
Visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FCHSPublicFeedback1 to comment on the event.
