Dunoon Community Development Trust - Local Place Plan
Argyll and Bute Council · 6 May 2025
Back to Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group — 6 May 2025 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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Extract Dunoon and Kirn Local Place Plan D1 / Prepared by Dunoon Community Development Trust 09/04/25 1 Developing a Local Place Plan for Dunoon & Kirn A Local Place Plan (LPP) is the community’s opportunity to have a say about the use of land and building assets in their local area. Dunoon Community Development Trust (DCDT) has been supporting a programme of community engagement, consultation and research over the past year to inform the development of a Local Place Plan for the Community Council ward of Dunoon and Kirn. This process has been delivered in partnership with a wide range of local stakeholders and members of our local community. The information gathered through the community engagement programme will also be used to develop a Community Action Plan that will be published along with the LPP. The Local Place Plan will be published as a website, currently being developed by DCDT, allowing people to browse the locations featured in the plan. Local people and stakeholders will be invited to give their feedback on the draft plan via the web portal and at a series of community events over the coming months. Dunoon Community Development Trust aims to submit the plan to Argyll and Bute Council for validation by November 2025. How we created our Local Place Plan This Local Place Plan has been informed by many months of research and community activities, including public exhibitions, workshops, surveys and focus groups with local people. Meet our community and partners Draft 1 of the Dunoon and Kirn Local Place Plan has been developed with a wide range of local partners who have played an active role in sharing data, insights and ideas about the local area. These include: Argyll Community Housing Association, Dunoon Community Council, Dunoon Grammar School, Live Argyll, Argyll and Bute Council’s Economic Development Team, Dunoon Business Improvement District, Argyll and Bute Climate Action Network (ABCAN), Dunoon Burgh Hall, Oxfam and local charity shops,
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Extract Dunoon and Kirn Local Place Plan D1 / Prepared by Dunoon Community Development Trust 09/04/25 2 Cultural Heritage & Arts Argyll and Isles (CHARTS), Third Sector Interface and Renewi. Community consultation Including people means listening carefully to everyone, not just the loudest voices. Local Place Plans are intended to share community aspirations for a local area. Dunoon and Kirn has a population of just under 8000, a number that is slowly declining. We know from looking at data that health, work, weather and demographic challenges can all impact on the quality of life here. To fully understand these challenges, we have spoken to people and gathered new information for the Local Place Plan. Our process The process of developing a Local Place Plan for Dunoon and Kirn has been ongoing since May 2024. The work started with an event hosted by Ariane Burgess MSP for Highlands and Islands (Region) at Dunoon Grammar school followed by with a Town Team meeting for stakeholders at Dunoon Burgh Hall. Above: Dunoon and Kirn Place Standard rating By working at a grassroots level in the community we have established baseline information about the local area using the Place Standard Tool. We have also
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Extract Dunoon and Kirn Local Place Plan D1 / Prepared by Dunoon Community Development Trust 09/04/25 3 gathered information from a variety of sources relating to the economic, social and health challenges people experience in the area. Our approach Analysing the existing data about Dunoon and Kirn with input from local partners and members of the community, we developed a series of research approaches to help overcome the challenges and realities of life for Dunoon and Kirn communities. o Community Connectors People living Dunoon and Kirn were recruited to be trained as Community Connectors. Community Connectors were then asked to ask key questions within their communities and with specific community groups. To overcome some of the known challenges to participation, Community Connectors were paid a Real Living Wage for their participation. o Creative events and community engagement activities To increase participation in the research and utilise the creative skills of our community members, we commissioned a series of creative projects, events, and work from local practitioners in Dunoon and Cowal. Additionally, we used existing initiatives developed by the Dunoon Community Development Trust to engage with the widest audience. These initiatives included the What's On Dunoon events website, Dunoon and Cowal Coworks meet-up group, Dunoon on the Move (formerly the Dunoon Bothy) active travel project, and the Grow Food Grow Dunoon / Struan Green Haven local food growing initiative. o Desk based research To inform the Local Place Plan we have reviewed a variety of data sources focused on the local area, including feasibility studies, housing needs reports, health and social care data, and environmental reports. o Surveys and focus groups Throughout the Local Place Plan process, we have consistently gathered feedback from the community using a series of thematic surveys focused on Active Travel, Green and Blue Spaces, the Circular Economy and our Shopping Streets. We have also engaged with key stakeholders in-person at quarterly Town Team meetings, networks and information sharing sessions.
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Extract Dunoon and Kirn Local Place Plan D1 / Prepared by Dunoon Community Development Trust 09/04/25 4 Cross cutting themes To help focus the plan on issues that were identified as important to our community and the context of our town, we developed five cross cutting themes informed by early stage research. These are: 1. Inclusion in the economy Wealth distribution is uneven locally. The public sector provides about a third of jobs and offers good employment, but few large private employers are present. Self-employment, micro enterprises, shops, home-based businesses, and the voluntary sector contribute significantly to the economy. 26.8% of the working-age population receive out-of-work benefits, higher than Scotland's average of 15.7%. Caregivers (mainly women), people with long- term health conditions, and younger individuals lack good job opportunities, risking population decline and increased poverty without targeted intervention. 2. Listening to young people In Dunoon, 22% of children are living in poverty, compared to 18.8% in Scotland and 17% in Argyll and Bute. There is a perception among young people that they are not included in decision-making processes and that spaces around the town are not designed with them in mind. In Dunoon, 34% of individuals aged 20-29 claim Universal Credit, compared to 15% across Argyll and Bute and 10% across Scotland. Factors such as a shortage of suitable starter housing, limited work and training opportunities, costly transportation, and higher rates of depression and anxiety contribute to the challenges faced by younger people. The anticipated population decline across Argyll and Bute emphasises the need for new and innovative solutions to retain young people and families in small towns like Dunoon. 3. Climate and biodiversity As a coastal community on Scotland’s west coast, Dunoon and Kirn has access to an abundance of natural resources, but these are not always utilised to generate wealth, improve health, or bring community benefit in terms of income. The area is experiencing increased rainfall and storm frequency associated with climate change. Consideration and action regarding climate change and biodiversity needs to be integrated into the way public services are provided and places are developed and maintained. We need to build resilience into transport, housing, food, communication, and energy systems for the community to prosper.
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Extract Dunoon and Kirn Local Place Plan D1 / Prepared by Dunoon Community Development Trust 09/04/25 5 Our research indicates that systems thinking related to climate change and biodiversity is not embedded into the culture or into public sector service delivery. Addressing this issue is essential if the community and public sector stakeholders want to maximise investment opportunities, create green jobs and make Dunoon and Kirn an attractive place to visit that caters for a new generation of responsible and environmentally aware tourists. 4. Keeping people healthy and happy About 24.1% of our community in Argyll and Bute are over 65, impacting on the need for community care. Complex conditions like Alzheimer's and cancer are more prevalent in aging populations. Additionally, the rate of individuals aged 16+ receiving Personal Independence Payment in Dunoon is double that of the rest of Argyll. Prescription rates for anxiety and depression drugs are also higher at 25% compared to Scotland's average. Health and social care organisations need to collaborate effectively with grassroots groups to design, invest in and sustain community spaces and services that support the health and well-being of people and their carers in Dunoon and Kirn. 5. Travel and connection As a rural community, travel connections are vital to our economy. Encouraging walking and wheeling in Dunoon and Kirn benefits health, reduces carbon emissions, and boosts local businesses as pedestrians tend to stay longer on shopping streets and spend more. Weather can deter active travel, but poor pavements, lack of safe crossings, limited public toilets, and the absence of companions can also impact on these choices. Once commutable to Glasgow by ferry and train, Dunoon and Kirn now struggles to attract and retain working-age people and families. Service reduction, poor timetable alignment and the increased costs of bus, ferry and train travel are a real challenge for our community. Protracted and slow decision-making processes continue while people are impacted by the lack of affordable and reliable transport connections.
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Extract Dunoon and Kirn Local Place Plan D1 / Prepared by Dunoon Community Development Trust 09/04/25 6 What is in the draft Local Place Plan for Dunoon and Kirn? At this stage, the first draft of the Dunoon and Kirn Local Place Plan contains a longlist of 27 projects relating to the use of land and building assets (and one outlier project idea without a location yet). The projects have been aligned with the strategic priorities of the National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4), which sets out a list of 33 policy objectives linked to the Scottish Government’s wellbeing economy framework (see Appendix 1 below). Key projects Projects focused on developing the town’s green and cultural infrastructure and keep the community healthy NPF4 objectives met by these projects: play, recreation and sport; design, quality and place; Local Living and 20-minute Neighbourhoods; Infrastructure First; blue and green infrastructure; Community Wealth Building; culture and creativity. 1. Dunoon Stadium Masterplan and develop Dunoon Stadium and the surrounding land, including the skatepark, to provide open access to multipurpose sports, leisure, health and education facilities at the heart of the town. 2. Dunoon Pier Protect this much loved but underutilised historic asset from climate change by bringing it back into use as a bike, water and people oriented transport hub and cultural venue for the town. 3. Dunoon Ferry Terminal Welcome passengers to Dunoon and help people leave with a positive impression of the town through improved signage, seating, waiting room, accessible toilet provision and information at the ferry terminal. 4. Queen’s Hall Continue to invest in civic space and a community facility that provides access to a library, culture, work and study space alongside health and wellbeing facilities. Increase footfall and funding for the Queen’s Hall by fully considering the community it serves and their needs. 5. Recycling and reuse facility Consider how land use could be adjusted to increase recycling space and provide a facility that supports a more circular reuse community in Dunoon and Kirn. 6. Dunoon Hospital Invest in the Dunoon Hospital, co-locate social care and health providers to ensure that our most vulnerable people get the holistic care they need to keep them healthier and happier. Develop this alongside the stadium so that people accessing services at the hospital have a place to exercise safely to aid recovery and sustain health.
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Extract Dunoon and Kirn Local Place Plan D1 / Prepared by Dunoon Community Development Trust 09/04/25 7 Projects focused on attracting the pedestrian pound to our high streets and encouraging people stay and shop NPF4 objectives met by these projects: Historic assets and places; Design quality and place; Local Living and 20 minute neighbourhoods; Community Wealth Building; City, town, local and commercial centres; Retail Tourism; Culture and Creativity. 7. Argyll Street and Argyll Gardens Inspire people, particularly young people and families to come into town, take a walk along Argyll Street, enjoy Argyll Gardens and help our vital shops and businesses thrive. Continue to invest in improving properties in the Conservation Area and beyond. 8. Hillfoot Street Encourage people to explore Hillfoot Street, the gateway to West Bay and a great place to do business, go to school, browse, eat, drink and enjoy. Make crossing the road to and from parking and West Bay safer. 9. Kirn Marine Parade and shopping area Make Kirn an even better destination for walkers, cyclists and shoppers. Build a public toilet and changing facilities to bring people to the beach and shops once more. Support the vibrant local businesses based in Kirn to maintain their shops and enhance the streetscape. Projects focused on play, green and blue spaces maximising opportunities to use biodiversity to keep people healthy. NPF4 objectives met by these projects: Tackling the climate and nature crises: Biodiversity; Natural places; Play, recreation and sport; Health and safety; Tourism. 10. Dunoon Cemetery Make the historic Dunoon Cemetery an accessible walking and recreation space for more people, including young people. Highlight the cultural heritage of the cemetery and the opportunities to use the space well to improve the health and wellbeing of local people. 11. Castle House Invest in this building to maintain the asset. 12. West Bay Turn West Bay into a high-quality recreation space for all ages and abilities. Celebrate the heritage of the promenade, maintain the biodiversity of the shore to improve flood resilience and get the beach classified as a bathing beach. Provide a wider range of learning opportunities that enhance the community and visitor experience of place. 13. Kirn Gardens and beach Enable more people to visit Kirn and enjoy the gardens, beach and shops by building a public toilet.
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Extract Dunoon and Kirn Local Place Plan D1 / Prepared by Dunoon Community Development Trust 09/04/25 8 14. Valrose car park Consider how this space at Alexander Street and Cowal Place could be used to support community health and wellbeing. More consultation needed. 15. Victoria Gardens Turn this green space into a haven for flowers, plants and people. Take pride in Doig’s fountain. 16. Green Space in Kirn Enhancing green space at Ardenslate Crescent and Dixon Avenue – more consultation needed. 17. Rose Garden and river walk Put the rosy glow back into the Rose Garden. Give young people and families a better experience of walking and play in the town. 18. West Bay Play Park Put the play back into West Bay. Fix it, extend it and value the play park and surrounding green spaces and pavilion as a key community asset for young people and visitors. 19. Castle Gardens Celebrate and share Dunoon’s heritage by turning Castle Hill and gardens into an accessible outdoor museum that complements the existing museum and provides a brilliant experience for local people and visitors. 20. Morag’s Fairy Glen Consider the costs of repair to re-open the glen to the community and visitors alike. Projects focused on active travel and energy NPF4 objectives met by these projects: Design, quality and place; Local Living and 20 minute neighbourhoods; Sustainable transport; Energy; Tackling the climate and nature crises; Infrastructure first. 21. Core paths network Make walking and cycling around Dunoon easier and more fun for more people by developing a network of core paths around the town that drive foot fall to Argyll Street and Kirn for shopping. Include in this the proposed dedicated cycle route from East Bay to Kirn. 22. Bishops Glen Understand the potential of Bishops Glen to host a community hydro scheme. Projects focused on housing – potential sites for housing in local authority or private ownership. Research ongoing – How can we respond more effectively to the local housing crisis and help the community retain young people and look after vulnerable people by hastening the construction of more affordable homes in Dunoon in partnership with social housing providers and key sectors including health and forestry. NPF4 objectives met by these projects: Local Living and 20 minute neighbourhoods; Quality homes; Design, quality and place; Brownfield, vacant and derelict land and empty buildings; Rural homes; Energy.
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Extract Dunoon and Kirn Local Place Plan D1 / Prepared by Dunoon Community Development Trust 09/04/25 9 23. Edward Street / Hill Street site Identify property owned by Argyll & Bute Council that is surplus to requirements and consider how the site could be developed to provide affordable housing for young families or smaller housing for older people. 24. Dolphin Hall site Identify property owned by Argyll & Bute Council that is surplus to requirements and consider how the site could be developed to provide affordable housing for young families or smaller housing for older people. 25. Gas works site Consider whether privately owned land could be developed to support affordable housing needs. 26. Alexander Street site Consider how privately owned land could be developed to support affordable housing needs. 27. Pilot Street site Consider how privately owned land could be developed to support affordable housing needs. Outlier project idea NPF4 objectives met by this project: Forestry, woodland and trees; Community wealth building; Business and industry; Rural development. 28. No location identified Bring innovation, environment, forestry, construction and education stakeholders together to explore how to make Dunoon and Kirn a centre of excellence for sustainable timber construction homes and forestry research. Build on the historic connection that the area has to forestry through Benmore Botanic Gardens, Forestry & Land Scotland and Kilmun Arboretum. Develop a campus in Dunoon that brings high quality jobs and training opportunities for young people into the town.
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Extract Dunoon and Kirn Local Place Plan D1 / Prepared by Dunoon Community Development Trust 09/04/25 10 Appendix 1 National Planning Policy objectives Sustainable Places 1. Tackling the climate and nature crises 2. Climate mitigation and adaptation 3. Biodiversity 4. Natural places 5. Soils 6. Forestry, woodland and trees 7. Historic assets and places 8. Green belts 9. Brownfield, vacant and derelict land and empty buildings 10. Coastal development 11. Energy 12. Zero waste 13. Sustainable transport Liveable Places 14. Design, quality and place 15. Local Living and 20 minute neighbourhoods 16. Quality homes 17. Rural homes 18. Infrastructure first 19. Heat and cooling 20. Blue and green infrastructure
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Extract Dunoon and Kirn Local Place Plan D1 / Prepared by Dunoon Community Development Trust 09/04/25 11 21. Play, recreation and sport 22. Flood risk and water management 23. Health and safety 24. Digital infrastructure Productive Places 25. Community wealth building 26. Business and industry 27. City, town, local and commercial centres 28. Retail 29. Rural development 30. Tourism 31. Culture and creativity 32. Aquaculture 33. Minerals