Two important reports on Glenkens land use published
PRESS RELEASE ON BEHALF OF THE GLENKENS COMMUNITY AND ARTS TRUST AND THE GLENKENS & DISTRICT COMMUNITY ACTION PLAN
Feedback event scheduled to discuss findings and next steps.
Two important reports on land use in the Glenkens have been published, funded by NatureScot and South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE). These reports, which follow up on the Vision for Land Use in the Glenkens adopted last summer as an addendum to the Glenkens & District Community Action Plan, offer crucial insights and recommendations for next steps in the ongoing debate about land use. The reports were commissioned through GCAT and Dalry Community Council as a joint project in pursuit of the Glenkens Land Use Vision.
The Reports:
1. Feasibility Study into a Land Use Forum for the Glenkens by Dr. Stephen Connelly
This study, based on consultations with key community and other stakeholders, concludes that establishing a Land Use Network, rather than a Land Use Forum, would be more beneficial for the Glenkens. An initial output proposed is the creation of a Land Use Map to consolidate existing and new knowledge for use by communities and developers.
2. Participatory Monitoring of Land Use Change in the Glenkens by Dr. Kerry Morrison
This report explores the creative responses of local people to changes in their landscapes and provides innovative recommendations for deepening community engagement in landscape change.
In parallel with these efforts, Becca Nelson, the Glenkens Community Asset Network Facilitator on behalf of GCAT, has been assisting Dalry Community Council in developing its Local Place Plan. Perhaps uniquely in the region so far, this Plan focuses not only on the village development but also on land use in the wider parish.
Both reports are now available on the Glenkens Hub’s ‘Land Use’ page: https://glenkens.scot/land-use. To discuss the findings and next steps, a feedback event will be held at the Smiddy, Balmaclellan, on the 8th of July at 7 PM. Stephen Connelly, Kerry Morrison and Becca Nelson will present their findings and open the floor to discussion of next steps.
Helen Keron, Executive Manager at GCAT, said:
“We were delighted to gain the support of NatureScot and SOSE in moving some of the recommendations of the Glenkens Land Use Vision forward. These reports by Steve and Kerry provide really concrete evidence for the community to move forward with, and it’s also exciting to see land use as a real theme in the Dalry Local Place Plan. Thanks to all for their work and expertise on this.”
Morag Paterson of Dalry Community Council said:
“It’s been fantastic to be able to move the Land Use Vision forward in this way and we’re excited about the next steps. A huge thank you to the report authors, our partners and funders and everyone who took time to contribute to the projects.”