COMMERCE, RELIGION and disease held sway over an Angus burgh over the centuries, with boom and bust a frequent visitor.
The town of Brechin and its surroundings have grown and shrunk in its 1,000-year history and the area is in a period of transition.
Now, its future is the subject of a document entitled A Vision of Brechin, which looks likely be approved by councillors tomorrow.
And the people and businesses of Brechin are being asked to take part in a community discussion on the way ahead a decision that could affect the lives of generations at a meeting to be arranged later this year.
A report by neighbourhood services director Ron Ashton goes before Angus councillors in Forfar tomorrow.
Mr Ashton said: “Even although the area has the significant assets in terms of looking to its future, it would be true to say that it also faces some challenges and the area needs to deal with these in the coming years to prosper economically and socially.”
Councillors will hear a number of local community planning improvements have happened in the area over the past 18 months.
These include the re-emergence of a community council, the establishment of Brechin Retailers’ Group and a Brechin and Area Partnership action plan.
Discussion over Brechin’s future has been spurred on by the emergence of a community campus as a replacement for the high school.
The report says this “will have a significant knock-on effect in terms of other building usage within the city.”
Mr Ashton adds: “During these discussions it had been recognised that whilst this in itself could be seen as a very negative matter, there is a genuine desire amongst the parties concerned to try to turn this issue into a positive development in terms of moving Brechin forward.”
Those involved in drafting A Vision of Brechin are keen it leads to wider discussion at a community event, to be held early this year.
Councillors will be asked to give permission for a one-day event with emphasis on the future of Brechin’s public buildings.
The likes of the city hall and Damacre Centre will need thought on their future use due to the development of new facilities and the replacement high school/campus.
Groups such as the City of Brechin and Area Partnership, the community council, Round table and Rotary have also added to a “partnership vision”.
The aim of this is to “create an area in which its residents are proud to work, live and invest in and an area which attracts visitors to enhance the economic well-being of the area for the benefit of both citizens and local businesses.” riwatt@thecourier.co.uk