Public support for Blairgowrie and Rattray regeneration plans

Feb 4 2010 Blairgowrie Adv

A PROGRESS report on regeneration projects in Blairgowrie and Rattray was given to the public last week.

The meeting in Blairgowrie Town Hall last Thursday gave Blairgowrie and Rattray Regeneration Company (Barrc) the opportunity to present an update on projects and associated activities.

Colin Stewart, chairman of the Regeneration Company, began by speaking about the various local committees which now meet regularly to discuss and report on matters of mutual interest. This is chaired by Councillor Caroline Shiers and the Regeneration Company is now simply a member of that group.

Dr Jessie Shaw, a retied local GP, manages the community office, One Voice, in Upper Mill Street, Blairgowrie, and she explained that this will act as a focal point to communicate and co-ordinate the work of the company and all the local committees.

It is staffed by a small group of volunteers and opens on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11am to 1pm and 2-4pm. It is hoped that more volunteers will come forward and allow the office to be opened all the week.

John Wilson, a director of the Regeneration Company, spoke about the website and explained that there had been problems but there was now money available to keep the website regularly updated and, working in conjunction with the One Voice office, it will provide a valuable means of communication. Details of the public meeting will be published on the website www.barrc.co.uk.

Ian McLean, a local hotelier and a director of the company responsible for activities, gave a presentation on the Fèis held in May 2009 in Rattray Primary School. A total of 57 youngsters attended and there were seven workshops on a range of musical activities. It was a great success, funding is now available, and two more are planned for May and September this year. A committee has been set up to organise a food festival, probably later in the year, funding has been applied for and a decision will be taken in March.

A progress report on the hydro scheme was given by Ross Peters, Regeneration Company director responsible for this project. A small 50Kw generator will be installed at the Oakbank Lade on the west bank of the River Ericht. It will generate electricity which will be sold to the national grid and, after running costs have been deducted, will provide an income estimated at about £30,000 per annum for the local community to spend as they see fit.

Most of the attendant problems have now been solved and final contracts should be signed by the end of February 2010. If all goes according to plan, work will start by the end of March and the project will be commissioned by Christmas 2010 or March 2011 at the latest. A total of £140,000 has been funded for preliminary and engineering design studies. A further £450,000 will be provided from the Scottish Government Town Centre Regeneration Fund for the completion of the project.

Ewan Anderson, 7N Architects, Edinburgh, gave a presentation on the proposed visitor centre on the west bank of the River Ericht, Lower Mill Street, Blairgowrie. It has been agreed that the children's play area will be moved to a site further up the river. The visitor centre is clearly visible, especially from the bridge over the Ericht, it is readily accessible and close to the town centre and there is no sale price. The land is owned by Perth and Kinross Council in trust for the Common Good Fund.

Some concern was raised at the meeting about traffic density and parking.

The internal design of the visitor centre is extremely flexible but essentially, there will be a reception area, a cafe area, a shop, and an exhibition and conference area.

It is hoped that all contracts will be signed by the end of March and work completed by July 2011.

After the hydro presentation, questions were taken by Ross Peters who skilfully answered them. The vote in favour of the scheme was unanimous.