PEOPLE in and around Cove and Kilcreggan are being invited to have their say on a new masterplan which will play a major role in shaping life for those living in the area.

Cove and Kilcreggan Community Council is working on the first stages of the project, which has been given the name OurCommunity and will form the new Local Place Plan - community-led plans setting out proposals for the development and use of land.

Details of how to get involved and the different stages of the engagement process will be available and highlighted by the community council in the new year. A new website will soon become live, and posters, leaflets and community engagement workshops in the Burgh Hall are planned to ensure as many people as possible are reached and can be heard.

The project was initiated in September, having been awarded funding from the Scottish Government’s Strengthening Communities Program through CEiS2. The fund was set up to enable communities to decide their aspirations, priorities and solutions. It does not allow for any capital investment, but instead prepares for projects to be initiated.

Following a public procurement process, SKS Scotland CIC is managing the initial phases of the project, currently carrying out research to ensure the most effective community engagement programme possible is carried out, which is due to start in late January. SKS Scotland is a Community Interest Company that specialises in supporting and strengthening communities and third sector organisations to maximise their sustainability.

The project will run for approximately 12 months, with the potential for an extension and is being managed by Cove and Kilcreggan Community Council in partnership with the Rosneath Peninsula West Community Development Trust.

A spokesperson for the community council steering group on behalf of the community trust, said: “We were delighted to be awarded this funding which will help build towards a sustainable development future for Cove and Kilcreggan and look at a wide range of aspects that affect everyone that lives here, such as our local economy, infrastructure, housing, recreation, transport, public services and our response to climate change, whilst also recognising the importance of the peninsula’s heritage.

“This is an exciting opportunity to start the process of preparing a Local Place Plan within our area, which all communities have been encouraged to provide by the Scottish Government.”

They continued; “We want ‘Our Community’ to reflect the views and opinions of as many people as possible that live and work in Cove & Kilcreggan, and visitors to the area. It would be great if everyone got involved in the engagement process, so that all our needs are heard and prioritised to help build a well-considered plan and enable a strong link to future place planning.”