A vision has been mapped out to help save a “neglected” area of Perth and allow its residents to have a say in its future.
Businesses in Bridgend have been badly affected by flooding and the blighted area has also recently seen flats demolished and walls collapsing amid an overall feel that regeneration is badly needed.
To help move things on, two meetings on the theme Bridgend Future will take place next month in Kinnoull Church Hall, Perth, as part of an intensive planning exercise, or “charrette”.
Organised by Perth and Kinross Council, Bridgend, Gannochy and Kinnoull Community Council and the Perth Left Bank Development Trust, the meetings will be led by a team from 7N Architects. They will help the community to discuss the issues that are important in the area and provide advice to enable residents to come to a consensus on what can be achieved and to develop a vision for the future.
By the end of March, the charrette team will come up with proposals for Bridgend and the Left Bank, based on what has been discussed at the meetings, and the community will then have a chance to shape the plans further.
Graham Fleming, chair of Bridgend, Gannochy and Kinnoull Community Council, said the meetings were a chance for people to get together to help “shape the future of the place they live and work in”.
He went on: “This means bringing together residents and business owners, council and public sector agency staff with a team of consultants to map out a vision for what Bridgend could become in 25 years time,” he said.
“The benefit of a charrette is that everyone can commit to a single vision so that efforts lead to a common goal.
“The vision has the status of a material planning consideration and so becomes a factor when Perth and Kinross Council and the public sector agencies are involved in making decisions which affect the Left Bank and Bridgend.
“It also helps with fundraising for community projects and makes sure that the focus will always be on what is best for the Left Bank.”
Bridgend resident Stuart Glencorse said he hopes the meetings will result in “some real action” and some “positive changes” to the Bridgend area.
“The area has so much potential and has been neglected by the council for far too long,” he said.
“Historically, there have been calls and promises to improve the area from MSPs and local councillors but they never materialised.”
“Unfortunately, Bridgend has deteriorated within 100 yards of the Perth Bridge junction and there is currently a demolition site that looks like ground zero, a wall at serious risk of collapse on Lochie Brae, a dangerous and derelict factory beside the historical, landmark, A-listed Perth Bridge and another wall collapse beside the foundations of Perth Bridge below West Bridge Street.”
Elena Costella, who is selling her Yarn and Fibre Studio in Main Street, added: “Bridgend has some absolutely beautiful buildings.
“The infrastructure is there, all it really needs is some tender, loving care, not demolition or modern development.
“Looking at old paintings of the area, it could be transformed into a magnificent, pedestrianised artisan quarter.
“The views from this side of the river are breathtaking and they should be shared with everyone, with viewpoints and picnic areas.
“I think Perth should make good use of what architectural assets the city still has.”
The Bridgend Future meetings will take place on March 3 and March 10.
A spokesperson for Perth and Kinross Council commented: “Representatives of the trust and community council met with local members and Perth and Kinross Council officers to discuss how this could be progressed and were alerted to funding made available by the Scottish Government in December for consultation events to stimulate action in town centres following the Town Centre Review.
“We agreed to support a request for the funding and tendered for work on behalf of the trust and community council.
“The Scottish Government approved funding towards 50% of costs for the events, with the remainder being met by the council.”