THE CHARRETTE SERIES Report has today (22^nd Oct) been published by the Scottish Government and contains specific proposals for Lochgelly and general recommendations relating to national planning, design and engagement policies based on the experience of the Scotland Charrette. 

The Charrette in Lochgelly ran between 8 and 13 March 2010 and was the second of three in the Scotland series. This was the only one to be led by a Local Authority and it took forward Fife Council’s draft plans for the Lochgelly Strategic Land Allocation and followed a successful bid to the Scottish Government for Scottish Sustainable Communities Initiative (SSCI) status.

The Lochgelly Charrette attracted around 800 participants over the course of 6 days and also included events for local schools and community groups. 

The report proposes a masterplan that projects growth through to 2066, with phasing for the years 2026, 2046 and 2066 identified. Whilst the “built out” 2066 plan offers the complete vision for the town, every stage has been carefully designed so all new developments can be described as well connected places that support the existing town centre. Specific elements of the 2066 masterplan are as follows:

• A redeveloped town centre, including review of pedestrian patterns and a proposed in-town supermarket.

• Substantial new residential development, intended to connect the new housing with the centre to contribute to the town’s regeneration.

• A major new railway station and “second centre”, which would attract dwellings and office space, based on connectivity to Edinburgh.

• Six neighbourhood centres, each of which would include retail, community facilities and open space, all linked by a bus route.

• A southern area of dwellings with larger gardens designed for community allotments.

• A major business park designed for industrial and truck-related uses, taking advantage of its location in close proximity to the motorway.

• Major public parks and landscaped public spaces, including an entrance from the highway as a tree-lined boulevard.

• Town limits which follow natural boundaries and other known constraints.

Fife Council has not waited for the publication of the report to progress actions identified at the Charrette.  Initial work includes:

• Detailed analysis of legislative procedures for moving the rail station;
• Planning Committee approval for a Supplementary Planning Guidance for the whole of Lochgelly and amendments to the Mid Fife Local Plan to safeguard future road links and protect land for a potential rail station relocation;
• a cross-service meeting to examine what changes could be made to the Lochgelly Centre and its surroundings;
• A local implementation group is now established (building on the previous 10 years of work) to take forward specific actions that include shop front improvements, pilot residential facelift project and review of current town centre parking arrangements.

Councillor John Beare, Chair of Fife Council’s Planning Committee commented: “The Charrette offered a unique once-in-a-generation opportunity for residents of Lochgelly to influence the future development of their town. It was a very exciting event and brought a whole new meaning to the term community engagement in which Fife Council and the Scottish Government invested heavily”.

“We were overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of the local people and it was a privilege to have been involved in the process. The Charrette has challenged the planning procedures, locally and nationally, and opened the way for us to play a leading role in creating new policies and working practices that create places where people want to be”.

“Now the final report is published we can look forward to seeing the plans develop into reality, although we recognise that it is the next and future generations who will see the complete outcomes. As guardians of the report, on behalf of the community, we will actively drive forward its principles”. 

To view the Charrette Series Report, visit www.scotland.gov.uk