An ‘Our Community’ masterplan for Cove and Kilcreggan is being drawn up, with housing, the local economy and transport among the issues to be addressed.
The news follows a grant of over £170,000 being awarded to Cove and Kilcreggan Community Council earlier this year, with hopes that it could lead to millions being invested on the Rosneath Peninsula in future.
A 12-month community engagement programme will be launched in the new year by the community council in partnership with Rosneath Peninsula West Community Development Trust, which put forward ideas for redeveloping the centre of Kilcreggan four years ago.
A contract to manage the initial phases of the project has now been awarded to SKS Scotland CIC, which says it is ‘currently carrying out research to ensure the most effective community engagement programme possible is carried out’.
The consultation is expected to start in late January, with a website expected, plus workshops in Cove Burgh Hall as well as posters and leaflets.
In May the community council announced that it had been awarded a grant worth £171,500 over three years from the Scottish Government’s Strengthening Communities Programme, although £9,000 of that must be repaid to CEIS to cover administration costs.
The bid was said to cover ideas including:
- A transport hub and more parking spaces
- A lack of affordable and sheltered housing
- The need for a focal point such as a village green
- Lack of facilities for start-up businesses
- The potential for a cycle track to Kilcreggan
- A potential water park near the village green
- Increases in tourism
- Electric charging points
A spokesperson for the project steering group said: “We were delighted to be awarded this funding which will help build towards a sustainable development future for Cove and Kilcreggan and look at a wide range of aspects that affects everyone that lives here, such as our local economy, infrastructure, housing, recreation, transport, public services and our response to climate change, whilst also recognising the importance of the peninsula’s heritage.
“This is an exciting opportunity to start the process of preparing a Local Place Plan within our area, which all communities have been encouraged to provide by the Scottish Government.
“We want ‘Our Community’ to reflect the views and opinions of as many people as possible that live and work in Cove and Kilcreggan, and visitors to the area.
“It would be great if everyone got involved in the engagement process, so that all our needs are heard and prioritised to help build a well-considered plan and enable a strong link to future place planning.”
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