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Cameron Connection | ||
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The December 2006 Community Event Report | ||
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Local views, ideas and opinions: a report of what people shared and recorded at the
Drop-in Event on Friday 1st and Saturday 2nd December 2006.
Hilton Associates Ltd
Contents: INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND...............................................................2 1.1 Introduction..........................................................................................................2 1.2 Objective of the event.........................................................................................3 1.3 When it took place..............................................................................................3 1.4 Who came and what happened?....................................................................3 3. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PLANS?..........................................................4 4. WHAT’S GOOD ABOUT THE PROJECT?.........................................................5 5. WHAT’S NOT SO GOOD ABOUT THE PROJECT?.........................................6 6. WHAT COULD BE CHANGED OR IMPROVED?..............................................7 6. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS....................................................................................8 7. WHAT NEXT?......................................................................................................... 9 Acknowledgments: With thanks to everyone who came to the event and generously gave their time to share their views. Also to people from other organisations that came along or provided information to help explain what the project is all about. Copyright
Photographs © Vikki Hilton
 A Drop-in Event for Cameron Connection, a mixed-use farm diversification project at Northbank Farm held on the 1st and 2nd December was attended by over 40 local residents. To promote the event a one page flyer was sent to everyone on the parish electoral role, to all Local Councillors and local Member s of the Scottish Parliament. In addition it was sent to Fife Council planning department and to organisations such as the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Scottish Natural Heritage, SCI (Earthship), the Slow Food Movement, Visit Scotland, Scottish Enterprise and Scottish Biofuels.
Sandy and Christine Riach, owners of Northbank Farm, are seeking outline planning consent for an enabling housing re-development, which will include shared-equity affordable family housing; an Eco-Holiday Village and Visitor Destination building containing a Farm Shop, Country Store, Rural Crafts and Foods units and Café/Restaurant.
Further details of the project can be found on other pages of the Cameron Connection website:
The Cameron Plan - Cameron Connection is an innovative mixed-use farm diversification project at Northbank Farm Housing - an enabling brownfield redevelopment including an affordable housing element of 6 houses Eco-Holiday Village - High quality holiday accommodation: a peaceful, comfortable community of all-timber construction eco-lodges in a woodland setting Visitor Destination - a contemporary building, designed to ecological principles and built with quality natural materials, stone, glass, timber and metal in a rural idiom As part of this process they sought the advice of a community engagement specialist (1)
who is also a member of the International Association for Public Participation (2) and Participatory Practitioners for Change both of which promote public involvement in the decision-making process.  The recently passed Planning Scotland Bill (16/11/06) also promotes community engagement. Communities Minister Malcolm Chisholm (3) said Scotland now had the basis of a modern planning system far better equipped to serve the needs of its people.
He continued:
"This is the most fundamental and comprehensive reform of the planning system in 60
years. "It heralds the start of a new era where communities will be involved from the start in
shaping their futures. It will bring in a much more efficient planning system to support the economy and help it grow in a sustainable way. "These reforms will encourage engagement and openness; not confrontation or
imposition. Good practice promotes engaging with people who may be directly or indirectly affected by things that impact on their lives. In support of this the recent Planning Advice Note (4) (PAN): COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT "PLANNING WITH PEOPLE"
consultation draft put out in July 2006 suggests ways to help improve community engagement. 4. ……It seeks to raise awareness of the many examples of good practice in Scotland and
to demonstrate how the proposed reforms should result in more widespread trust and confidence in the planning system. Our aspirations go beyond planning authorities and developers publishing their plans or submitting planning applications and waiting for a reaction. It is instead about promoting a more inclusive and participatory system. To achieve this, everyone interested in the future development of their neighbourhood, village, town or city should understand the importance of the planning process, how to get involved at the earliest possible opportunity and feel confident that engaging in the process has been meaningful. The PAN sets out advice to help ensure that everyone, no matter what their age, gender, or cultural background, can participate in ways that suit them in the planning decisions that affect their environments. 5. The PAN has been designed with a range of users in mind; communities, planning authorities, Councillors, and applicants. It contains general information that everyone should find useful, including people with little knowledge and experience of planning. 1.2 Objective of the event
The objective of the event was to reach out to the wider community to ensure that people knew more about the project and could have a chance to see the plans and ask questions. The Riach family were concerned that a lot of people who live within the Cameron Parish had not heard about the project. It was also an opportunity for people to share and record their views so that these could help inform the project design.  1.3 When it took place
The event was held from 1.30 to 7.30pm on Friday 1st December and again from 10 am to 1pm on Saturday 2nd December. It was held over these days to ensure people who have work and family commitments could come either during the day, evening or weekend time. In addition toys and drawing material was available so that parents could spend time looking and sharing their views. Who?
Forty-one people, nineteen women and twenty two men and a number of children came to the event. The participants ranged from people in their 20’s to over 65 and included 2 councillors and 2 people from businesses outside the immediate area as well as local residents and entrepreneurs.
What?
On arrival people were asked to record where they lived by putting a dot on a map of the area and indicating their age range. This was to ensure we understood the range of people who had come to the event. We felt this was important because affordable housing was part of the re-development plan.
Plans of the project were on display as well as additional information about the environmental issues such as reed beds, eco-housing and bats.
Kingdom Housing had a display and was available on the Friday and a
representative of the Forestry Commission was around on both days because
of the proposal to use bio-fuel as a source of energy for the project.
 People were encouraged to look at the plans and discuss points with the Riachs and other representatives.
After viewing the plans people were encouraged to share and record their opinions by the community engagement specialist. This was done using an open participatory method and no names were recorded. People either recorded their views themselves or the facilitator recorded what was said for them. All the comments are recorded below.
At the end of their visit people could leave their contact details if they were interested in staying in touch or being contacted over specific things such as small business accommodation.
 2. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PLANS? After looking at the plans and details of the ecological and sustainability aspects of the project people were asked: Having seen the display what are your overall feelings about the project?
Of the 41 people who came to the event 25 people shared and recorded their views. Some people felt they could not record views i.e. as councillors, friends, those who didn’t have time, those whose partners recorded their views or those who didn’t want to do it.
Of those who recorded their views 22 people ranked the project on a scale of 1-10 from not so good' to 'very good'. The chart (right) is a record of their rankings.
 3. WHAT’S GOOD ABOUT THE PROJECT? People were asked to record what they thought was good about the project. A record of everyone’s views is recorded below: 1. A meeting place which is needed around here
2. Absolutely in favour of it 3. Affordable housing 4. Affordable housing 5. Affordable housing and mixed development is excellent 6. Affordable housing and others needed in the area 7. All good 8. Anything that highlights Scottish foods is good 9. Artisan and craft areas with development potential 10. Blends in 11. Bring people into the community and countryside to contribute to the lifestyle. 12. Café serving real food – fantastic 13. Community 14. Could be a hub for the community 15. Could be a very good thing if it achieves everything that is suggested and done gently and ethically. 16. Delighted to see that sort of initiative going ahead 17. Design – no real comment on looks, leave that to others who know more. 18. Design and layout are excellent. The approach of sustainable development encouraging things like Slowfood etc will provide a much needed focus for these activities in the areas 19. Display is good 20. Eco-houses super and blend in with area 21. Ecological 22. Ecologically sound buildings and concepts throughout 23. Eco-principles 24. Educational aspects linking with local schools 25. Electricity – will use no more that the farm did which was all automatic and light on all night. 26. Farmers need to diversify 27. Going to bring employment 28. Good because its got shop, restaurant 29. Good design – sympathetic to the surrounding area 30. Good for locals 31. Good for tourism 32. Good for tourism and creates jobs 33. Good for tourists 34. Good idea 35. Good that its organic and local food 36. Good that there is clear purpose 37. Great improvement to the area 38. I believe they are very honest and this is the way it will work 39. There are 9 Steading developments in the area but not 1 is contributing to the countryside. No jobs created by them. Brought expensive housing in the area but not affordable housing. This has affordable housing. 40. Idea of public access and public involvement is v good 41. If done well would put the area on the map – I’m all for that 42. If manage to keep the balance of all ecological/sustainability things it will be great 43. Impressed with environmental concern and ideas for affordable housing 44. Improve the countryside around here 45. In principle excellent 46. Interesting idea 47. It is a sustainable project that is geared towards maintaining local wildlife and countryside, maintaining this for future generations. 48. It will provide a positive community resource for a huge range of groups 49. It will show the area in a different light 50. It would give local people the opportunity to establish local business and contribute, not only to Cameron but to Fife in general. 51. Keep it going 52. Like the ecological ideas 53. Like the reed beds 54. Local access and the impact on the environment and food miles 55. Local employment 56. Local enterprise side of it is brilliant 57. Love the ecological friendliness of the whole thing 58. Making good use of redundant steadings 59. Maybe a useful hub for a community network 60. Needs to be new ideas and new ways of sustaining rural economy 61. Not a golf course 62. Office of the Deputy Prime Minister wants more houses, this should help achieve it 63. Organic is good but also space for business diversity is important 64. Potentially a useful resource is Pillars of Hercules 65. Preservation of and emphasis on wildlife 66. See no problem with water supply as I ran 150 milking cows (302 head of cattle in total). The houses will use less water. 67. Services to community 68. Showcase for alternative power 69. Small business units are a good idea (in favour of them, nothing to object to in principle) but I feel it should be in a less obtrusive area or an area zoned for them. 70. Sustainability 71. Sustainability 72. The building, in terms of sustainability and environmental impacts, is very good 73. The more local the better 74. The project will provide a positive visitor experience which is not just guff and will attract and hold visitors with other and more diverse interests. 75. This would provide the Cameron community with a focal point where they could come together and work towards the improvement of Cameron as whole. 76. Type of tourism accommodation 77. Viability – i.e. why are they doing it? 78. Will be good if the biofuels works (will there be continuity of supply?) 79. Will bring jobs into the area 80. Will provide alternative to big corporate development 81. Wonderful project 4. WHAT’S NOT SO GOOD ABOUT THE PROJECT?
People were also asked to share and record any concerns they had about the project, some of these ideas linked into changes and improvements people would like to see happening. Some people also recorded views about the process. 1. Aesthetics of the houses bit of a concern
a. Looks more of the same b. Not in keeping with the aspirations of the project c. No connection between the buildings and the place 2. Could be perceived as modern commercial building 3. Could be too modern for the area but if people understand why (it will be okay) – i.e. why there is a metal roof - to collect rainwater 4. My concern is what this will lead to in 5 years time i.e. will there be another 20 houses? 5. Over development: a. Clash wood b. Higham – rural innovation c. Holiday development near Higham 6. People need to understand and get over resistance of people to change 7. Potential for increased road traffic 8. Potential noise 9. The effect on local roads in conjunction with other developments – needs to be looked at from central planning 10. The lack of support and communication for this project from the Cameron Community Council. There appears to be very little or no communication between the Community Council and the local community 11. This is an area of great landscape value and this will be detrimental 12. Visibility and light pollution – one of the attractions of living in the country is that you don’t get light pollution. 13. Waste of farmland 14. Will they get planning and then sell up? 15. Worried about setting precedents for the future 5. WHAT COULD BE CHANGED OR IMPROVED?
People shared and recorded things they thought would improve the project 1. Am looking forward to seeing final plans – especially of housing
2. An element of skills development 3. An off-licence for organic wine would be great! 4. Any opportunity for self-build? 5. Bit more emphasis on social housing, less on holiday lets 6. Can there be safeguards over the future of the facilities for the residents – i.e. will there still be a shop in five years time? 7. Communication with the local community could be improved. An email network would go a long way towards this. 8. Community council should be more consultative 9. Diversity – look at Findhorn 10. Earth modelling (see plan 1 below) and other suggestions for minimizing light pollution. 11. Hope ALL the houses are built to the same standard 12. I like the main building, it is a bold and attractive design which will enhance the scheme and the area 13. If the corner is flattened out, which will help with traffic 14. Issues about the sign by the centre – maybe local community involvement in the design-i.e. local school children – the conflict of being visible but not too intrusive 15. Lot depends on quality of design and implementation 16. maybe teenage café evening would be a massive benefit to the community 17. Planting in the long term will help the light pollution but the damage will have been done. 18. Pro-development of a native arboretum and maybe willow for biomass
19. Some screening but need to be able to see it 20. Sign: the sign on the plans needs improvement, needs to be visible but more in keeping 21. This is about future – design has to be in keeping with the environment -unobtrusive to the eye 22. Tie in with current community facilities 23. To make sure that affordable housing is for local people but am absolutely in favour of the project 24. Viability-seasonal? 25. Would be really good if there was an emphasis on using traditional skills in a contemporary way with training for young people 26. Would be useful to see some youth involvement late on 27. Would like to know about options for renting space 28. Would like to see more curves and diversity, not a Lego construction 29. Would like to see more traditional/sustainably sourced i.e. wood in the cladding/aesthetics 30. Yahoo group would be very constructive Some people added comments to a plan for changes and this is reproduced below:  Plan 1.5. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS One person said that “the display and involvement of the Riachs in the display is excellent”. Someone else commented that this sort of process should be used more often and “What a good idea it was to do it that way”. 6. WHAT NEXT?
Further environmental assessments are being undertaken on ecology, landscape and visual impact, and any mitigation to the proposals arising from these assessments should be completed later in January. When this is done we would like to have another Event at the Cameron Village Hall so that the local community can be kept up-to-date with the plans. We hope that some residents, particularly those who may not have had time to come to this Event, may have the chance to do so in the New Year’. | ||
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