Portgordon development plans take centre stage at community consultation sessions
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
THE future development of Portgordon and the village’s harbour took centre stage when a series of public consultations were held recently.
The Richmond Building and village hall played host to a total of three drop-in sessions so local people could learn more about and have their say on Portgordon Local Place Plan (LPP) and ongoing efforts to bring the harbour into community ownership.
Behind the sessions were Portgordon Community Trust (PCT) and consultants MKA Economics.
PCT chairman Derek Murray said he was delighted with the public response to the sessions.
He said: “We’re delighted at the success of the drop-ins, with around 90 people coming along over the course of the three sessions, including potential harbour users.
“There was a steady flow of people and lots of good engagement.
“Public input is vital as we shape our LPP to ensure the right type of development takes place in the correct parts of Portgordon.
“The Local Place Plan will feed into the wider county plan being created by Moray Council. There is a lot of work still to be done on this and the aim is to have it ready to put to the community by September.
“MKA are currently undertaking a feasibility study, options appraisal and business plan for the harbour which is due in July and, like the LPP, will be shared with the community.
“At the moment we’re gathering together all the information we have taken in from the consultation sessions which will be used to help form the draft reports.
“The support of the community going forward is critical.”
Alongside the LPP and the harbour study, Mr Murray said the trust were also working on a resilience plan for the village. Meanwhile, design work continues apace on phases two and three of the Richmond Building community hub, which will include enlarging the café and the creation of more meeting space. Concerning the cottage to the rear of the building, which is intended for short term holiday lets, a planning application has been submitted while the outcome of funding applications is awaited.
Mark Kummerer from MKA Economics added: “It was good to see such a good turnout at the recent community drop in sessions, this is greatly appreciated and aids feasibility assessment tremendously.
“We are now reviewing all the drop-in responses and the online survey is also proving popular. If anyone would like any further information on the study or have any further views, they can contact Leeanne Lowden at leeanne@mka-economics.co.uk”
The trust rounded off the consultation by holding their AGM, which took some time to reflect on the many successes the last 12 months have brought.
Mr Murray commented: “The trust has a tremendous amount to be proud of, including the redevelopment of the Richmond Building, improvements to Portgordon village hall, the opening of the Lampie Hoose Café, the growing success of Portgordon’s Community Garden, our community newsletter (the Portgordon Post) and our new website.
“We were delighted in October last year when the Lord-Lieutenant of Banffshire, Andrew Simpson, accepted our invitation to become our charity’s patron, and Mr Simpson’s support of the trust’s work is very much appreciated.”
He went on to laud the efforts and support of the volunteer team at PCT and the trust’s Community Development Officer, Michelle Good, whose contract has been extended for a further year thanks to funding being secured.
Mr Murray also thanked all the grant funding organisations, consultants and local businesses who have supported, and continue to support, the work of the trust and acknowledged the ongoing support of the local Portgordon community.
Two new trustees were appointed at the AGM and office bearers were re-elected as follows: Chairman - Derek Murray; Vice-chairs - Sonia Lawrance and Rainer Herbert; Secretary - Denise Robson.
