Residents in a Moray village are being offered the opportunity to shape the future of their community.
As part of Planning for Real, a three-dimensional polystyrene map will be created of Lhanbryde with villagers being invited to pin flags in areas they think need attention.
Anita Milne, chairwoman of Lhanbryde Community Challenge, believes the process could open doors for bigger changes in the village.
She said: “If an organisation, like the Challenge, wants to apply for funding from one of the large funders, you have got to have evidence of work that has been undertaken to show there is a need for it and how we would address it.
“It could also be for smaller bits of funding or something the community could do for itself, but it would all improve it in some way.”
In recent years, concerns have been raised in the area about the amount of buses to and from the village.
The debate about the future of the Tennant Arms in Lhanbryde, which is due to be resolved today, is an example of how the new initiative could work.
Mrs Milne added: “The developer already had plans in, before this exercise, but that is the sort of thing which would give people the chance to say what they would like to see down there.”
Once the 3D map is finished, complete with model houses, shops and painted streets, it will be taken round groups and the school for as many people to have their say.
An action plan will subsequently be drawn up to ensure as much of the wish-list as possible can become a reality.
Mrs Milne said: “If somebody would like to see something like a community garden, they can pin a flag where they would like it to be.”
Community support worker Sarah Crowe added: “The ultimate aim is to develop an action plan based on what local people themselves want and to create a vision for how Lhanbryde might look in the future.”
Moray Council is hosting a meeting at the village’s community centre next Tuesday at 7pm.
