Locals from Kinlochleven are ready to take the next step towards turning their dreams for the village into a reality.
Following a highly successful Ideas Day in January, the community says it is now ready to work to develop a cohesive ’Place Plan’ by the summer.
Coordinated by Kinlochleven Community Action Group, the first step towards creating the proposal took place at the Leven Centre on Saturday January 27 as people came together to outline what they wanted for the future of the village.
All ideas and suggestions have now been collated and the group are ready to move onto the the next stage which will take the form of a ’Solutions Day’ on March 16.
Resident and KCAG vice-chairperson Sarah Arfaoui said: "The variety of ideas that were suggested paint a fascinating picture of the community’s aspirations and concerns, and highlight some clear priorities for action.
"We now need to take those ideas forward and work out what we can do to make them a reality."
Locals were asked about the big challenges facing the village around community, transport, housing, jobs, landscape and climate change.
As well as the 175 people who attended on the day, a further 30 shared their thoughts after the event by email, comment forms and an online survey. In total, over 500 ideas were put forward.
Key issues raised were housing to suit the needs of people who want to live in the village, jobs, public transport and community infrastructure.
Sarah added: "The input from everyone was incredible and very valid.
"It will be quite challenging in the sense that we have a lot to tackle now but it’s a good challenge and very varied.
"Much of it will require support from The Highland Council and other agencies and we will need input from Jahama Estates as they own most of the land around here.
"There are many things also that we can do ourselves as a community and judging by the spirit that was shown on Ideas Day we definitely have the capacity to do them.
"So while we are waiting on other people to do things for us there is plenty we can do ourselves together.
"There are going to be some exciting months ahead."
The next stages include:
From ideas to solutions: Saturday March 16 - In the Leven Centre. Tea coffee and cake from 1pm, start 2pm sharp, finish around 3.45pm.
Business and organisations survey - to find out what would help businesses and groups in the village
Young people - getting their ideas for the future: it’s their community too!
Sarah added: "These and other activities will help us get to a community-led plan of action by the summer. They are a strong basis for working out a plan of action - the next stage in the process.
"A big thank you to everyone who took the time to get involved. There are lots of exciting suggestions - with some clear priorities."
For more information on the Kinlochleven Community Place Plan, and to see the full outcomes from Ideas Day, visit www.kinlochlevenfutures.net/village-ideas.
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