Project Identification
Retaining Kincardine Fields as a green space for community use was identified as a key priority for the community through the ‘Auchterarder & Aberuthven Community Action Plan (CAP) 2022-2027 – specifically in ‘Theme 4, Priority 2’.
Project Lead
A&A Connected provided an information sharing session and presentation in November 2024 with the aspiration of supporting a group of residents local to the site becoming lead on this project.
Kincardine Fields Location
Kincardine Fields is located to the south of Auchterarder town centre, bordered between the Provost Walk and Kincardine Road.
Current Status of Kincardine Fields
The area is an undeveloped green space, farmed in previous years but have been unmanaged in recent times (since circa 1980). The area now has established paths around the perimeter and across the field from the regular community use of this space.
Background to the Proposal:
The subject of future use of the site came to the attention of the community during the Community Action Plan Consultation (November 2021 – February 2022) and also when the “Auchterarder Lifetime Neighbourhood” consultation was held in April 2022 by Anderson Bell & Christie Architects.
The Community were, and still are, supportive of retaining this green space as an area for recreational use, being against the proposal to build new homes in this area, siting concerns about existing infrastructure still lagging behind following growth of 25% in Auchterarder during past decade, concerns about the availability of green space in town and also concerns around safety of increased traffic in this location.
The Auchterarder and Aberuthven Community Action Plan (CAP) has Kincardine Park named as a specific action within PRIORITY 2 – Improve and expand community greenspaces and woodland areas as a reflection of the community views submitted during the consultation. The CAP reflects the views of interviews with 47 community groups, 751 survey responses, and 2 community futures open days. Auchterarder Community Council drafted a response to the proposal (attached in appendix) and the local councillors have stated their support for this area of land being retained as community green space.
As far as we are aware, the land is not included for housing in LDP2 but is included in the PKC Strategic Housing Plan.
Councillor Keith Allan signposted Angela Laurie, A&A Connected, to the Community Asset Transfer process, following which ACSR submitted an expression of interest to PKC on the 24th of April 2023.
Members of ACSR Green Spaces Group met with members of PKC CAT Team (James Gardner and Tracey Ramsey) on site on the 31st of May 2023.
CAP group sent out questionnaire – in spring 2024, with members of the community sharing how they currently use the land and how they’d use the land if retained as community green space. The question was also asked about whether people would be willing to contribute £10 per year towards maintenance / ongoing costs. 65 people confirmed that they would be able to do so.
Tim Hart and Angela Laurie have had further conversations with James Gardner and Sarah Kimmet, have discussed the Business Plan and been signposted to Elyn Zhang (Scottish Land Fund Advisor) and Fiona Taylor (Development Trusts Scotland) in July 24
In August 2024, Tim Hart and Angela Laurie met with Fiona and Elyn on site.
Community Asset Transfer Process: Image from PKC CAT Tool Kit
During this timeframe, the topic has been on the Agenda of every ACSR Green Spaces meeting where visuals and plans have been drawn up, a business plan drafted and progress around this has been mentioned in Community Council Meetings. The three local Councillors are aware of the proposal to retain this area as green space.
The CAP Management Group have discussed this with PKC Senior Management team and Chief Exec in September 2023 and August 2024.
In September 24, following the successful application for charitable status by A&A Connected, the CAP Trustees felt the timing suitable for a specific working group to form to take forward this plan.
Proposed Project Development
ACSR Green Spaces Group member Fiona Macfarlane created the following as a graphic representation of the aims of the project.
Next Steps: Suggestions for actions
Explore Local Housing Needs assessment – has this been done for Auchterarder? This will cover the housing needs and also the land required for balance.
It may support the proposal to keep this area as green space.
If this hasn’t been carried out, the Community Housing Trust can support with this.
Strengthen Business Plan:
- Include SEED Bank Project
- Reference the partnership between CAP and ACSR Green Spaces.
- Breakdown Costs at each stage – set out the layers.
Ie where does the £2K come from and what would it be spent on and when?
- Include costs of the lease
- Explore other potentially hidden costs – such as insurance and non domestic rates. Charities tend to get relief of 80% and potentially another discretionary 20%.
- Include anticipation of fundraisers – ie plant sales.
- What is the plan B? Are there cash reserves? How would any gaps be filled?
- When exploring money, consider volunteer hours as £ contribution. PKC greenspace savings (through not having to maintain) reduced burden on NHS
- Explore Social Return on Investment Calculations: Plot uses and frequency of use. Outcomes: Reduction in social isolation, MHWB, Exercise, Sustainability. This will enable us to offer less than the valuation sum because we can provide value against this.
- State how people would get to and from the site
- Evidence support from the Community for A&A Connected taking over the site and holding reserves for this.
Other considerations suggested by PKC:
- The land is part of the Strategic Housing Plan – is there a compromise to be made on the area to be used for public greenspace?
Community Engagement
Effective engagement with the community is a key part of the project. The community initially identified the project through the CAP.
Community Engagement with Anderson Christie Bell consultation
Engagement throughout CAP
Engagement with the follow on Questionnaires in Spring 24
Further community engagement is required to ascertain that the community are ub favour of the group taking on the lease and potential purchase of the land
Project Funding
Initially, it was hoped that Scottish Land Fund would be a potential source of funding for the application. Stage 1 funding covering the valuation and Stage 2 covering purchase of the land. They typically fund around £150K but cover funding between £5K and £1M. However, this fund is only available where purchase is planned, not lease, and PKC have indicated that they may only consider a lease.
If we are not using SLF, we would approach local funding organisations for the lease and consider other options once land value has been agreed. Cost of valuation is £3K with 50% being funded by PKC.
ACSR Development Manager (Tim Hart) and A&A Connected Community Connector (Angela Laurie) have compiled a spreadsheet of potential sources of funding for various Auchterarder community projects. From this, the following are identified as potential sources for the initial funding of the valuation:
Auchterarder Community Facilities Fund.
Projects should be linked to mitigating the impact of the new housing….on public realm or facilities. Needs to be agree with “appropriate services / CC / Elected members.
Projects less than £50K are assessed by Executive Director (Environment) within 6 weeks.
Deadline 20th September. Committee Meeting Date 25th November.
Auchterarder & District Community Trust
Ongoing Project Costs
- Initial investment costs for planting will be covered through community subscriptions and match funding. Its important to note that the changes would be minimal and phased and as such, the funds raised from the community are anticipated to be more than sufficient.
Volunteers would carry out any maintenance with capital costs covered by the annual subscription and additional fundraising on site.
Expected Project Timeline to be confirmed following Community Meeting