Community input wanted for Moray Council consultation on improving the centre of Forres

THE community is being consulted on proposals to improve Forres.

Moray Council hopes to breathe new life into six towns in Moray including the Royal Burgh and needs the public’s input to confirm what is required.

Moray Council’s planning and regulatory services committee has agreed draft town centre improvement plans for Forres, Lossie, Keith, Buckie, Dufftown and Aberlour, to go out for public consultation.

The aim is to make each more attractive to live in and visit by improving pedestrian and cyclist access, promoting heritage, restoring buildings and creating more environmentally-friendly spaces.

A sum total of £200,000 is available for the proposals, with the aim of attracting match funding from external sources.

Local authority suggestions for Forres include: introducing an interpretative trail of local sites of interest; planting trees along High Street; improving local shop fronts; creating a rain garden outside the Falconer Museum; upgrading local seating, signage, lighting and street materials; improving the lanes next to the High Street Co-op and Forres Town Hall; improving pavements and street materials around the Mercat Cross and the Tolbooth; lighting up historic local buildings; regenerating key local properties; installing a cycle lane through High Street connecting to the Dava Way and Findhorn to Kinloss; introducing cycle parking on High Street with facilities for charging electric bikes as well as a drinking fountain, toilet provision and bike repair station; installing more electric charging points for vehicles; repurposing key vacant buildings to provide affordable housing, student accommodation and tourism accommodation; homing people living in empty properties including in the former Clydesdale Bank on High Street, Tesco site at Caroline Street and auction mart on Tytler Street.

Councillor Aaron McLean (SNP, Forres) believes these are all good ideas.

He said: “We are very lucky to have so many free parking spaces within walking distance, so the proposals to improve and develop them make sense. I was also taken by the idea of pedestrianisation of Tolbooth Street which would allow more public space and outdoor areas businesses. It is also important to allow safer spaces for pedestrians and cyclists in central Forres.”

Councillor Claire Feaver (Conservative, Forres), however, made the case for local and visiting motorists.

She said: “I represent a ward with a large rural hinterland which has patchy or non-existent public transport. We have many constituents who have no option but to drive into town. And it is unrealistic to expect elderly or disabled folk to hop onto a bike or walk long distances, particularly in wintry weather. It should be possible to develop plans that improve access for pedestrians and cyclists, but which also accommodates those for whom that isn’t a practical option.”

Councillor Lorna Creswell hopes the Falconer Museum is reopened before the area in front is renovated.

She said: “We’ve been keen to update the town centre for a long time, but never had the funding. Hopefully this money will kickstart ideas and improvements.”

Councillor George Alexander (Forres, Independent) explained that the suggestions from council officers are designed to get the community thinking.

He said: “Local people will give their views and suggest other ideas. I think it would be great if all these ideas could be followed through, but funding will be a limiting factor.

“Match funding could come from the owners of some buildings which have been an eyesore for many years and other buildings which are in need of improvement. We have former banks which are no longer needed for that purpose, commercial properties which have been on the market for years, and of course the two prime candidates at the old mart on Tytler Street and Castlehill Church on the High Street which need urgent development. Anything that accelerates this process is welcome.”

Forres Community Council chairwoman Kathleen Robertson confirmed the group also plans to review the consultation fully.

She said: “We would urge people to engage and respond to this consultation about the future of our town. Any proposals which might enhance the usage of High Street and the creation of heritage trails is welcomed.

“We do have concerns regarding planting trees in urban areas as growth, maintenance and root invasion could become potential issues.

“As it’s presented, improving active transport for pedestrians and cyclists is always welcome. However, Forres has an ageing demographic and is a centre for rural communities. It would be remiss not to continue to consider accessibility by vehicles to our high street for access to businesses and ensuring improvements don’t create barriers that results in a non-inclusive community environment. Reducing non-essential heavy goods vehicles traffic would be a good start.”

The eight-week online consultation started on Tuesday, January 18 and will run until Monday, March 14.

A series of virtual meetings will be held with community councils and other interest groups, with one-to-one sessions also available. Comments, including those made by councillors, will be collected and reported back to the committee in the summer.

n See www.moray.gov.uk/towncentreimprovementplans for more information.