Perth and Kinross Council (PKC) landscape architect Steven Kane has updated Blairgowrie and Rattray Community Council on progress for the regeneration of the town.
The regeneration proposals include works to the community building in Rattray, the Wellmeadow and Riverside Park, which includes a new play area, creation of a garden in the former play area, planting and improvements to the Cuttle Burn culvert and Cargill’s Leap.
Mr Kane said that following public consultations earlier in the year, which included a public survey and meetings with various interest groups and community organisations such as Blair in Bloom, the detailed planning stage of the project was well under way and on schedule for publication next month.
He told the meeting: “Of the £900,000 secured for the community, £400,000 has been allocated for the community centre in Rattray.
“The remaining £500,000 will be spent on the regeneration of the Wellmeadow and Riverside areas.
“Since the public consultation in the summer, there has been lots of work going on in the background.
“The responses to the survey were made public in September and, taking those into consideration, we have been looking at costings of various aspects of the regeneration.
“We have also been carrying out engineering reports and work on the walls at the play areas at Riverside.
“In addition, the roads department at PKC has money from Tactran to upgrade the bus station and we are working with them to ensure that both regeneration projects tie-in to make a better overall development for the town.
“Once we have finalised the details of the proposals we will carry out a second consultation in December to allow people to see the plans.”
He confirmed that work at Riverside is due to get under way in March 2013, saying: “We are aiming to be on site in March next year for work on the play areas for example, where we will be creating a new play area, repairing walls, widening the path, and adding more picnic benches.
“We will also be carrying out repairs to the formal garden there and creating wheelchair access to it and replacing the interpretation boards at the riverside. This work is due to be finished in June.”
He added: “At Cargill’s Leap we will be replacing the old wood, and work there and on the culverts should be finished by September next year.”
In the Wellmeadow, the work will include painting the railings and replacing bins and benches, and is due to be complete by July.
Proposals for a semi-permanent bandstand like structure will also be considered.
Mr Kane said that the council is fully aware that the community is keen that the work is completed in time for the summer and the Britain in Bloom competitions and confirmed that Blair in Bloom will be the lead group on that aspect of the project.
