Clerkhill Courts, Peterhead
Engaging the public – A Design Process
13 April 2011, 6.30pm at The Clerkhill Inn Function Room
Objectives and Aspirations
Tenants First Housing Co-operative have been considering for some time potential improvements to the environment in Dales Court, Pitfour Court and Slains Court at Meethill.
Some of this may involve new build housing as infill developments in addition to environmental improvements. At this stage we would like to develop an overall master plan for the area taking into account the views of existing residents before finalising any proposals.
The intention would be to prepare an overall masterplan and then seek formal discussions with Aberdeenshire Council and other interested parties. Thereafter we would submit a formal planning application.
Why Engage the Community?
In these recessionary times finding funding to carry out the work may be difficult ,but nonetheless we think it is important to have a masterplan in place, so if and when funding does become available we know we have public support to proceed with the development.
Public Engagement is a collaborative planning and design process that harnesses the talents and energy of all interested parties to promote joint ownership of design solutions between developer and local community.
Stage 1 - Scoping Exercise – November 2010
Thirty people attended the meeting held in the Clerkhill Inn at 6.30pm on Monday 8th November 2010. They consisted of both homeowners and tenants of TFHC.
At the Scoping Meeting, people were encouraged to engage with representatives form TFHC in small groups to carry out an analysis of the area around Dales, Pitfour and Slains Court. This included the whole of Clerkhill extending as far as Meethill School, Dales Park and the Lido. This involved identifying what, in their opinion was good and what was bad about the area and finally what they thought were opportunities that could be exploited.
Plans of the area were marked up with stickers and notes to annotate locations of ‘the good’, ‘the bad’ and ‘opportunities’.
Stage 1 - Workshop Outcomes
The general view of those attending was that the Courts were a good place to stay, close to the shops and public transport. They created a quiet environment with plenty of open space, where kids could walk to school without crossing the road.
The detailed findings are on display at TFHC offices in Slains Court.
Stage 2 - The Next Stage
A second public meeting is to be held to review the outcomes of the scoping exercise and specifically to focus on the opportunities identified, possible development and improvement options and funding streams.
Following this session it is envisaged that a masterplan be prepared. This would be presented to the community prior to be developed in detail for submission for funding and as a planning application.
All community members are welcome and invited to attend the second public meeting on ;
13 APRIL 2011, 6.30pm at THE CLERKHILL INN FUNCTION ROOM.
For further details, please contact Tenants First Housing Co-operative.
