Brechin residents are being asked to speak up about their hopes and dreams for the future of their town.
Angus Council selected Brechin as the focus for a major, locally driven intensive consultation programme called a design charrette that aims to connect with the local people and give them a voice in the future shaping of their town centre. Organisers hope to get Brechin talking.
The charrette is running in collaboration with the City of Brechin & District Community Council, BRAVO Brechin and other partners.
Those at the heart of the project believe it will allow the community to participate in the Angus town’s regeneration, breathe new life into open spaces, encourage investment and create new opportunities for business and leisure.
Planning and design workshops will be held at the Damacre Centre between February 4 and 7, with direction and support from a team led by urban designers and architects Austin-Smith: Lord and local regeneration specialists Douglas Wheeler Associates Ltd, as well as property consultants Ryden and Transport Planning Ltd.
They will work closely together, hands on with residents, to prepare a long-term vision, development framework and action plan for Brechin town centre. Shared ideas, hopes and visions will then be translated into drawings.
This concerted programme of discussion, predominated by local voices, will aim to confirm the boundaries of Brechin town centre, along with its focus, its challenges and priorities.
It will take full account of recent work to develop a vision and plan for Brechin by the Brechin and Area Partnership and the Brechin Townscape Heritage Initiative investment.
The design charrette will develop a long-term vision for the town centre’s future and, consequently, its hinterland, recognising existing assets, strengths, challenges and opportunities.
Other goals of the charrette are to cement a commitment from the local community, businesses and stakeholders, for the agreed vision; and put a framework and action plan in place to make those aims and aspirations a reality.
The conclusions and information drawn in by the charrette will also help to inform and assist future Angus local development plans and other significant local policies and investment plans.
The rallying call to the community is already reaching an enthusiastic audience ahead of the February charrette. Since appearing on Twitter just before Christmas, the initiative has attracted more than 200 people who follow and comment with interest on the news and fortunes of Brechin Charrette.
Communities manager for Brechin and Montrose, Sarah Kettles said: “The Brechin charrette team hopes to engage with as many individuals as possible. This is a fantastic opportunity for you to influence future decisions about your town centre.”
For further information see Brechin charrette on Twitter @brechintalks or email Sarah on cldbrechin@angus.gov.uk.