The Cabrach Local Place Plan

The Cabrach Launches Community Engagement Initiative for Local Place Plan 

Anchored by The Cabrach Trust, residents and businesses of the Cabrach are at the heart of an important opportunity to shape the future of their community – in a bid to make the rugged edge of Speyside “an even greater place to live, work, play, and visit” – through the development of a Local Place Plan. 

Over the next few months, the local community, stakeholders, and businesses are invited to give their views on issues such as land and building use, accessible and affordable housing, renewable energy initiatives, community amenity, statutory services, and economic infrastructure to form a comprehensive plan that reflects the aspirations and needs of the Cabrach.

Following extensive consultation, the Local Place Plan will be submitted to Moray Council as it develops its region-wide Local Development Plan. This key statutory plan will shape how land and buildings are used over the 10-20 years. 

Sam Dowdall, Community Development Manager at The Cabrach Trust, said: “Given The Cabrach Trust’s focus on the regeneration of the Cabrach, we recognised the opportunity to anchor the development of a Local Place Plan as a natural responsibility and extension of our work. The importance of the whole Cabrach community engaging in this process cannot be overstated. 

“The Local Place Plan is a vitally important opportunity for the community to help shape the future we collectively want to see for the Cabrach.  Alongside development of the Local Place Plan, a draft housing strategy and emergency community resilience plan will be taken forward. All combined, this is an exciting piece of work.  

“By building on existing assets and recent successes, we want to make the Cabrach an even greater place to live, work, play, and visit. We are delighted to be working with Community Enterprise who will take an objective lead on this work and gather community views about what the priorities should be for the area.”

Patti Nelson, Chair of the Cabrach Community Association, said: “At a time when the Cabrach is navigating a Just Transition, and whilst The Cabrach Trust is progressing an exciting regeneration strategy for the area, this Local Place Plan represents an opportunity for residents here to redefine and refocus what the area needs and what the area stands for.”

Lynda Johnstone, Community Enterprise, emphasised the importance of community input, saying: “What the community tell us will help to plan the things which will make a direct difference to the community.”

Residents are encouraged to participate in various engagement opportunities, including:

• May: Community Comment Boards in the Visitors Centre, Acorn Centre, and Nature Hide.
• Tuesday 28^th May: Chat and cuppa drop-in sessions at the Acorn Centre from 11am-4pm or 6-9pm.
• Wednesday 29^th May: Young people’s pizza and chat event at the Acorn Centre between 4-7pm.
• Sunday 30^th June: Community BBQ at the Acorn Centre from 1-3pm.
• Early-July: A Community Survey to allow residents to comment on Place Plan Themes and Priorities.

These engagement activities provide opportunities for residents of all ages to contribute their ideas and preferences for the future development and enhancement of the Cabrach area.