More community participation will be allowed to oversee the six-figure regeneration of an Angus burgh’s historic heart.
Kirriemuir was handed more than £645,000 Scottish Government money to regenerate its rapidly ageing centre this year, and a committee has rubber-stamped a change in the burgh’s conservation management.
A report by strategic director for communities Alan McKeown moved to amend the set-up of the town’s Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS), which was approved by an executive subgroup of Angus Council’s infrastructure services committee.
That committee agreed to set up a steering group to oversee the CARS project’s delivery on March 5, which was designed to comprise two Kirriemuir and Dean ward councillors and two community representatives.
It has now been decided to make the group up of all three Kirriemuir and Dean councillors and three community representatives, with its first meeting taking place on August 22.
Mr McKeown writes: “There is clearly a desire that the community has a say in how the scheme is developed and is kept informed of progress.
“It is considered that one way of achieving this is to increase the number of community representatives on the steering group.
“It is important, however, that there is a balance between the community representatives and elected members.”
There have been four CARS application rounds since 2005. The funding, which is allocated to local authorities by Historic Scotland, is available to provide financial assistance for conservation area-based regeneration and conservation initiatives.
Infrastructure services committee convener Mairi Evans previously said the money “is great news for Kirriemuir.”
“We are delighted to have this funding, which will be used to repair and reinstate properties in the centre of the town, and make it more attractive for local people and visitors alike,” she added.
Efforts to restore the town’s shine follow the runaway success of a similar project to the north-east.
Brechin Townscape Heritage Initiative and its project manager Sarah Kettles have witnessed the completion of more than 30 building restoration and repair projects.
Last year, the scheme obtained a royal seal of approval when Prince Charles toured the Merchant’s House, which dates from 1575.