A Speyside community has rallied together to come up with a string of improvements which could shape the future of their town.
More than 900 Dufftown residents helped form the town’s community action plan earlier this year, and the finished
results have now been depicted on a 3D map outlining their goals.
The effort was supported by Moray Council and run by the Dufftown Planning for Real group, which has also published a booklet detailing the findings of the exercise and listing areas which will be prioritised for improvement.
Lead organiser Eleanor Candy said people were most keen to see improved park facilities, a new skatepark and better school parking.
She added: “We held public workshops in May and June, and since then we’ve been putting together a plan collating everyone’s views and identifying what can be brought forward.
“We had a very good response, more than 900 people took part and they all had ideas about how to make Dufftown better.
“These are ideas that were put forward by the community, for the community.”
Participating residents aired their views on categories including health and leisure, education, crime and safety and tourism.
Subsequent consultation works earmarked endeavours which should be prioritised, and which aims were short, medium and long-term goals.
After analysing the findings, members of the Planning for Real group spent weeks creating a 3D map of Dufftown displaying proposed improvement sites.
The wide-ranging exercise has sparked demand for upgrades to Dufftown’s Community Centre, the establishment of a homework club, public picnic ares and
Residents are also eager to see more stringent measures against illegal dumping and improved drainage at Tininver Park has also been designated as a high priority work.
To tackle crime and boost safety, more speed surveys are to be carried out on motorists and roads and pavements are to be enhanced.
Longer term projects identified are the creation of a patch of allotments and establishing nature reserves.
Speyside Glenlivet councillor Mike McConnachie said: “The community action plan really shows the aspirations the people of Dufftown have.
“There was a lot of hard work involved here, and I commend those who helped form the plan.”