Community Action Plan - Aberdeenshire Community Planning ...

RoseheartyCommunityAction Plan

32

Community Action Plan Community Action PlanLocation Map

The coastal community of Rosehearty is situated about 5 miles west of Fraserburgh; the name Rosehearty is thought to have Gaelic origins and is variously interpreted as being from Ros, a headland, and a personal name Abhartach or as meaning the headland where the rocks meet the sand. This second interpretation describes Rosehearty’s situation with its magnificent sunsets and splendid views along the Moray Firth cliffs to the west of the town and the white sands of the beach to the east.

The first settlers are thought to have been a party of Danish seamen who having been shipwrecked here set up a small community of fishermen and farmers. There has been a harbour at Rosehearty since before 1509. Due to the efforts of Forbes of Pitsligo to develop the township as the seatown for the estate, Rosehearty became a burgh of barony in 1681. Rosehearty was able to support a wide range of local shops and services as well as three churches, a school and the fishermen’s’ hall which served as a focal point for meetings and entertainment. The burgh prospered during the years of the herring boom and at one point was said to rival Fraserburgh as a herring port. Rosehearty declined in importance as a fishing port after the failure of a proposal to extend the railway line from

Introduction

Fraserburgh to the town. The harbour remains a focal point for the community.

Rosehearty is overlooked by Pitsligo Castle. The oldest part of the castle is a massive square tower built in 1424, this was extended during the 16th century by the addition of palatial buildings surrounding a courtyard. The castle was destroyed by the Flemish troops who were billeted there after 1745 when the estate was forfeited as a result of the involvement of Alexander 4th Lord Forbes of Pitsligo in the Jacobite campaign. Following the Jacobite defeat, Lord Pitsligo returned to Buchan, living out the rest of his life as a fugitive on his estate. The many narrow escapes the elderly gentleman had from the troops who were scouring the countryside for him have become an enduring part of local folklore. The Pitsligo Castle Trust is now responsible for both the castle and the nearby former Peathill Church. Hugh Mercer, the surgeon son of the parish minister also enlisted in the Jacobite army, escaping to America where he became a friend of George Washington and achieved lasting fame as a Brigadier General fighting against Britain in the American War of Independence.

The first church at Peathill was built around 1635 and contained the wondrously carved Pitsligo Pew, considered to be one of

the finest examples of Jacobean wood carving in Europe. In 1890 a replacement parish church was built close to the original and the pew was housed there. This church closed in 1997 and is under the care of Pitsligo Castle Trust which has plans to develop it as a tourist attraction.

Rosehearty today retains a strong sense of its identity and heritage. Facilities and amenities include a sheltered housing complex, Malcom Forbes Court, three public houses one of which has recently been refurbished, a butcher and Post Office and a general store. The Primary School was rebuilt in 2005 and now boasts excellent facilities including an ICT suite. The public library is housed in the school. The Fordyce Street hall remains a centre for many community activities in Rosehearty. The harbour is used by visiting groups of divers and by recreational boats. There are many opportunities to take part in sports including football, golf, bowling and badminton.

Rosehearty Harbour.

Banff & Buchan

PortsoyWhitehills

Banff Macduff

Aberchirder

Gardenstown

New Byth

RoseheartyFraserburgh

Strichen

Maud Mintlaw

Peterhead

Cruden Bay

Turriff

Fyvie

EllonOldmeldrum

Newburgh

Insch

Newmachar

Inverurie

Kemnay

Kintore

WesthillAberdeen

City

Huntly

Rhynie

Alford

Torphins

BanchoryAboyne

Ballater

Braemar

Porlethen

Newtonhill

Stonehaven

Fettercairn

Laurencekirk

Inverbervie

JohnshavenSt Cyrus

Formartine

Marr

Kincardine& Mearns

St Combs

Garioch

Buchan

Community Action Plan 2013 - 2016

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54

Community Action Plan Community Action Plan

Football Play Area.

Caravan Site.

The Beach.

Banff & Buchan Area Plan

Peathill Cemetery.

Fordyce Street Hall.

The Square.

Top Five Priorities

Rosehearty: Banff & Buchan Area Plan 2012-2015The Area Plan lays out under six headings Aberdeenshire Council’s intentions for developments and projects for the forthcoming three years.

It is drawn up by Banff and Buchan Area Management Team and adopted by Banff and Buchan Area Committee. The actions identified in the Plan

reflect contact and dialogue with local communities, community groups, organisations and individuals as well as community planning partners.

The latest version of the Area Plan has no actions specific to Rosehearty but a number of general intentions which support or align with the findings of this Community Action Plan.

Heading/Lead Service Action/Project

Community Wellbeing A2 Improve oral health in preschool and primary school children by supporting the national oral health Childsmile programme through the provision of toothbrushing programmes and fluoride varnish applications.

A6 Enable older people to sustain and improve

their health and well-being; manage long-term health conditions; cope with disability; and live as independently as possible.

A7 Work in partnership with the Scottish Government, Private Developers and Registered Social Landlords to ensure the delivery of affordable housing to address identified housing need and to sustain existing communities within Banff and Buchan.

A8 Improve the quality, suitability, sustainability, quantity and range of private housing consistent with strategic objectives and policies.

Safer and Stronger A10 Continue until March 2014 on a quarterly basis to monitor, evaluate, and support the Community Warden Scheme to inform and influence future Scheme delivery.

A11 Work in partnership with Grampian Police, local business, community representatives and other agencies to deliver specific initiatives to respond to identified issues of antisocial behaviour within the Banff and Buchan area

Sustainable Environment D5 Promote the Cleaner Dogs scheme to community groups and local veterinary surgeries to encourage responsible dog ownership and decrease the number of complaints around dog fouling.

At a recent meeting with Aberdeenshire Council it was noted that the Scottish Government has given high priority to the provision of high speed Broadband throughout Scotland.

The top five priorities to emerge from the consultation were:

Projects which would involve the community in partnership:

The top scoring suggestion, regarded the wish for an outdoor all weather sports and leisure facility. Specifically it was suggested that such a facility could use astroturf to permit all weather use, should include floodlights and could include a bike park, tennis courts and a bowling green. A second, linked suggestion (seventh in the scoring) was headed amenities for youngsters specifically an outdoor multi activity park to be located near the beach. (Theme: Community Facilities & Activities)

The second most popular suggestion concerned the Harbours, with particular reference to repairs following storm damage to the harbour wall and Port Rae. It was suggested that there needs to be plans for general maintenance and/or development of the harbour and Port Rae. The ninth most popular suggestion seems to fit with this theme by encouraging the development of the Boat Club to include boat building and sail training for youngsters and generally to develop the harbour for recreational sailing and boating. There was a linked suggestion that the proposed extension to the Boat Compound should be encouraged and whilst there was negative comment this still received a positive overall vote. (Theme: Community Facilities & Activities)

Project which will require action by an outside agency:

The third most popular suggestion is that the Broadband offering throughout Rosehearty as regards speeds and choice of providers should be improved and increased. (Theme: Community Facilities & Activities)

Project which would involve the community in partnership:

The fourth suggestion is that action needs to be taken regarding the issue of dog fouling and in particular it was suggested that there should be more dog bins, a dog warden who could impose penalties on dog owners who fail to clear up after their pets, and a designated dog exercise area intended to confine the problem. (Theme: The Environment)

Project which could be undertaken by the community independently:

The fifth suggestion concerns the ownership and redevelopment of the Rosehearty Caravan Park. There is a wish for the Caravan Park to be owned and managed by the Community and it is felt that such an arrangement could generate an income for the Community and dissuade Travellers from using the area. (Theme: Community Facilities & Activities)

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July

Fons

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Community Action Plan Community Action PlanOther Issues

Planters.

Cairnhill Footpath.

Murison Drive.

Other Issues

West Rocks (The Tower).

Entrance to Village.

The School.

Community Facilities & Activities

This theme received the highest score of all of the themes and as well as providing the top scoring individual suggestion, the following suggestions were also made listed in order of score, highest first.


Community Café and meeting place for all ages in particular OAPs. It was noted that there had once been a Café by the harbour which had been closed and is now derelict. It was suggested that these premises might be re-developed.

There is a strong wish for a skatepark which could perhaps be included within the outdoor activity park which is the top suggestion.


The community is keen that the beach be cleaned of seaweed and rubbish more frequently particularly during the summer months. It was pointed out that the picnic areas and sea front could be included in Beach cleans.


There is keen interest in provision of parking and toilet facilities at Peathill Cemetery.

It was suggested that there should be more support for the Fordyce Street Hall.


It was suggested that there should be a Rosehearty Gala which could include a Funfair.

A Zipline and a pond could be provided in the Park.


The community would like to see a power supply provided for the Christmas tree lights at the Square.

Planters and Flower Beds could be placed around the settlement.

It was also suggested that, more use could be made of the school park, and that it would be particularly helpful if the school playing field goal posts were made generally available.

Support for the development of the Castle and Kirk.

There was an overall positive response regarding a wind turbine however support was not unanimous.

It was suggested that there could be a multi activity indoor facility or games room incorporating an arcade. (This might be combined with the suggestion regarding a Community café.)

It was noted that Rosehearty is a destination for visiting recreational divers and as such it would be an idea to provide changing room facilities.

Traffic & Transportation

Whilst this was the second most popular theme the top scoring suggestion achieved eighth place in the overall score. Listing of the various suggestions is ordered as previously.


Action needs to be taken to reduce flooding events in Murison Drive particularly, but also at Pitsligo Street and the local burns. It was noted that in general, drains need to be cleaned more frequently.


Improvement and development of footpaths from Pitullie & Sandhaven, West Rocks and Cairnhill, suitable for walkers and cyclists. The access to the War Memorial was also noted as in need of upgrading.

Projects which will require action by an outside agency:

It was suggested that the community would benefit from increased bus services covering the whole of the settlement, which could be better co-ordinated. It was noted in particular that services at midday and late at night would be popular. Buses should also be suitable for use by disabled folk.

The community are keen that there should be flashing speed limit signs at the various entrances to the settlement.


It was suggested that snow clearing on the Fraserburgh road could be increased or improved. An additional suggestion was that the Community could obtain its own footpath snow plough/gritter for use around the settlement.


The community would like a pedestrian crossing on Union Street at the School and also on Pitsligo Street. There were alternative suggestions that speed humps or 20mph limits could be imposed in these areas and also along the main bus route.

The community would like to see more street lighting in the old part of the settlement, around the harbour and along the bus route.

Users of wheelchairs and mums with prams would like to see more lowered kerbs for crossing roads.

There were a number of other suggestions regarding the roads in Rosehearty including:-

The road from North Street to the Harbour be made one-way.

Improve visibility for vehicles at the ‘point of dyke’ corner.

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Community Action Plan Community Action Plan

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Other Issues Other Issues

The Tower.

Golf Club.

Port Rae.

North Street.

Sheltered Housing, Malcolm Forbes Court.

Recycling Area.

Health & Housing

None of the following suggestions scored higher than twenty seventh in the overall order.


The community would like to see more care for the elderly in the settlement, particularly for those with dementia.

In general the community would like to see more housing suitable for youngsters in Rosehearty, in order that they do not have to leave the area.

It was suggested that there should be more 3 to 4 bedroomed Council houses in Rosehearty.

There was a feeling that the Wardens at the Sheltered Housing need to be reorganised.

Instead of the suggestion under the heading Traffic and Transportation regarding travel to medical facilities outside of Rosehearty it was suggested that a health centre be established, in the form of a Doctors Surgery, a Dental Practice and from which a District Nurse could operate.

Jobs & The Local Economy

The top suggestion under this theme was fourteenth in the overall scoring.


It was suggested and strongly supported that a Fish & Chip shop be established in Rosehearty. Alternatively or as well, the youngsters would like to see a Macdonalds, a Wimpy or a Subway fast food outlet.

There is a general wish that more shops could be opened in Rosehearty. Specific suggestions included: A Craft shop including a stall for home workers to sell their wares. A Bakers and Cake Makers shop, DVD/Video rental and sales shop and a Chocolate shop

The community would like to see jobs for youngsters provided in Rosehearty.

The community feel that History based tourism could be encouraged to Rosehearty particularly if a Heritage Centre, Museum or Information Centre could be established in the settlement.

The community felt that business start-up units could be encouraged in Rosehearty.

Local Environment

As well as providing the fourth most popular suggestion, regarding dog fouling, this theme produced a further four suggestions all of which were reasonably popular.


Provision of a gas main to Rosehearty to reduce dependence on oil for heating.


The community would like to see action taken as regards derelict buildings in particular the old Café and Boatshed. It was suggested that if nothing else the boarded up windows could be painted to give the impression that the buildings are in use or at least look nicer.

There is a puddle which forms at the Recycling Point which is a problem in wet weather. This needs to be filled in.

It was suggested that street cleaning be increased in the summertime to improve the look of Rosehearty for visitors particularly in relation to discarded bottles, chewing gum and cigarette ends. It was also noted in particular, that the lane behind the Forbes Arms Hotel needs to be cleared and fly tipping discouraged. There was a feeling that the area beside The Tower be tidied and improved and at the access to the Beach, Golf Course and houses in these areas.

Crime & Community Safety

There were two suggestions made which are most relevant to this heading although at the consultation, several suggestions which come under the heading of general safety were voted on under this theme.


The community would like to see more foot patrols by the Police either using regular Policemen or Community Wardens. This suggestion was twelfth in the overall scoring.


The second suggestion relating to crime is that vandalism generally needs to be discouraged. Where this has resulted in damage and graffiti this needs to be cleared up.

1110

Community Action Plan Community Action PlanAction Plan Summary Action Plan Summary

Part

ners

and

age

ncie

s ke

y:

PCT

Pits

ligo

Cas

tle T

rust

EL&

L Ed

ucat

ion

Lear

ning

and

Lei

sure

P&ES

Pl

anni

ng a

nd E

nviro

nmen

tal S

ervi

ces

T&I

Tran

spor

tatio

n an

d In

fras

truc

ture

H&

SW

Hou

sing

and

Soc

ial W

ork

PI

Priv

ate

Inve

stor

sG

P G

ram

pian

Pol

ice

NH

S N

atio

nal H

ealth

Ser

vice

Inde

pend

ent

Part

ners

hip

Ous

ide

Age

ncy

1. C

omm

unit

y Fa

cilit

ies

& A

ctiv

itie

s Ta

keov

er r

unni

ng o

f the

Car

avan

Par

k O

utdo

or a

ll-w

eath

er fa

cilit

y (E

L&L)

In

crea

se B

road

band

pro

vide

rs a

nd

Beac

h an

d Be

ach

Fron

t cl

eani

ng

Rep

air

and

deve

lop

Har

bour

(P&

ES)

spee

d (P

I)

R

oseh

eart

y G

ala

Act

ion

on d

og fo

ulin

g (P

&ES

) U

se o

f Sch

ool P

layi

ng F

ield

s an

d

Su

ppor

t fo

r Fo

rdyc

e H

all

Prov

ide

park

ing

and

toile

ts a

t Pe

athi

ll go

alpo

sts

(EL&

L)

Se

t up

a W

alki

ng C

lub

Cem

eter

y (P

&ES

)

D

evel

op a

Com

mun

ity C

afé

(P&

ES)

Pow

er s

uppl

y fo

r X

mas

tre

e lig

hts

in t

he

Bu

ild a

Ska

tepa

rk (E

L&L)

Sq

uare

(T&

I)

Z

iplin

e an

d po

nd in

the

Par

k (E

L&L)

M

ulti

activ

ity in

door

cen

tres

(EL&

L)

M

ore

Plan

ters

and

Flo

wer

bed

s (P

&ES

) C

hang

ing

room

s fo

r D

iver

s (P

&ES

)

Supp

ort

for

the

Kir

k an

d C

astle

deve

lopm

ent

(PCT

, EL&

L)

2. T

raffi

c &

Tra

nspo

rtat

ion

Impr

ove

snow

cle

arin

g an

d ob

tain

Im

prov

emen

t an

d de

velo

pmen

t of

St

op fl

oodi

ng in

Mur

ison

Dri

ve, P

itslig

o

C

omm

unity

ow

ned

foot

path

fo

otpa

ths

(T&

I) St

reet

and

the

bur

ns (T

&I,

P&ES

)

pl

ough

/gri

tter

(T&

I) Im

prov

e ac

cess

to

War

Mem

oria

l (T&

I) In

crea

se B

us s

ervi

ces

espe

cial

ly m

id d

ay

and

late

at

nigh

t (T

&I/P

I)

M

ore

stre

et li

ghtin

g ar

ound

the

Har

bour

an

d al

ong

the

Bus

rout

e (T

&I)

Pede

stri

an c

ross

ings

at

Uni

on S

tree

t, th

e

Scho

ol a

nd P

itslig

o St

reet

(T&

I)

M

ore

low

ered

ker

bs fo

r w

heel

chai

rs

and

pram

s (T

&I)

Nor

th S

tree

t to

the

Har

bour

to

be

one-

way

(T&

I)

Im

prov

e vi

sibi

lity

at ‘p

oint

of d

yke’

co

rner

(T&

I)

Fl

ashi

ng s

peed

lim

it si

gns

at e

ntra

nces

to

th

e se

ttle

men

t (T

&I)

3. H

ealt

h &

Hou

sing

M

ore

care

for

the

elde

rly

espe

cial

ly

thos

e w

ith d

emen

tia (H

&SW

)

M

ore

hous

ing

suita

ble

for

youn

gste

rs

(H&

SW)

Mor

e 3/

4 be

droo

m c

ounc

il ho

uses

(H

&SW

)

R

eorg

anis

e th

e W

arde

ns a

t th

e Sh

elte

red

H

ousi

ng (H

&SW

)

Bu

ild a

Hea

lth C

entr

e (N

HS/

H&

SW)

4. C

rim

e &

Com

mun

ity

Safe

ty

A

ctio

n to

dis

cour

age

vand

alis

m (G

P)

Mor

e Po

lice

foot

pat

rols

(GP)

C

lean

up

resu

lts o

f van

dalis

m (P

&ES

)

5. L

ocal

Env

ironm

ent

A

ctio

n to

tid

y th

e ol

d Bo

atsh

ed a

nd

Prov

isio

n of

a g

as m

ain

(PI)

C

afé

at t

he h

arbo

ur (P

&ES

) Fi

ll in

the

pud

dle

at t

he R

ecyc

ling

Poin

t

(P&

ES)

Incr

ease

sum

mer

time

stre

et c

lean

ing

(P&

ES)

Cle

ar r

ubbi

sh b

ehin

d th

e Fo

rbes

Arm

s

Hot

el (P

&ES

)

T

idy

and

clea

r th

e ar

ea b

esid

e th

e

To

wer

(P&

ES)

6. J

obs

& T

he L

ocal

Eco

nom

y

Ope

n a

Fish

& C

hip

shop

(PI)

Enco

urag

e bu

sine

ss s

tart

-up

units

(P&

ES)

O

pen

a M

acdo

nald

s, W

impy

or

Su

bway

(PI)

O

pen

a C

raft

Shop

, Bak

er/C

ake

mak

ers,

D

VD

/Vid

eo R

enta

l sho

p &

a C

hoco

late

shop

(PI)

M

ore

jobs

for

youn

gste

rs

Dev

elop

his

tory

bas

ed t

ouri

sm, w

ith a

Her

itage

Cen

tre,

Mus

eum

or

In

form

atio

n C

entr

e (P

&ES

)

12

Community Action PlanMaking It Real

www.ouraberdeenshire.org.uk

This booklet is one of a series produced by Local Rural Partnerships for a number of communities in Aberdeenshire.

This initiative is sponsored by Aberdeenshire Community Planning Partnership and run by Aberdeenshire Local Rural Partnerships. The aim is to provide community action plans in an attractive, easy to read, professionally printed format.

BANFFSHIRE PARTNERSHIP DEVELOPING COMMUNITIESThe Old School • Boyndie • Banff • AB45 2JTT & F: 01261 843598 • E: [email protected]

This information can now guide the community and Community Planning Partners in drawing up detailed action plans to implement the top priorities as well as addressing the other issues which have been identified. For each priority or issue this will involve agreeing who should be involved, what resources will be needed and target dates for completion. It is hoped that this process will be driven by representatives of the community with support - moral, technical and financial - from the relevant Partners.

It is important that this booklet is seen by all concerned as an account of the community’s views at the time of the latest consultation, and that it will have to be regularly reviewed and updated. As some projects are completed, other issues will arise and take their place in future versions of the community plan.

We recommend that this Plan has a maximum life of three years.

Thanks are due tothe People of Rosehearty,

Rosehearty Community Council,Rosehearty School and staff,

July Fonseca and Scott Fraser for their photographs,

and finally, Janet M McLeman for the introduction to this

document.

Des

ign

by

June

201

3

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