The Cabrach Local Place Plan (LPP) was developed between May and October 2024 through a community-led, collaborative process facilitated by The Cabrach Trust and Community Enterprise Ltd. The approach was rooted in Service Design principles, ensuring that the plan was shaped by local voices and needs.

Key steps included:

• Extensive community engagement: Over 230 interventions through surveys, drop-in sessions, BBQs, youth events, and statutory consultations.
• Stakeholder mapping and consultation: Involving residents, businesses, landowners, and public agencies.
• Asset and demographic mapping: To understand existing resources and challenges.
• Strategic alignment: Ensuring the plan fits with national and local policies, including the National Planning Framework 4 and Moray Local Development Plan.

Three guiding principles shaped the engagement:

• Community Led – Ownership by local people.
• Collaboration – Shared vision among partners.
• Co-design – Community needs at the heart of decisions.

Key Themes of the Plan

The plan is structured around four interlinked investment themes, each addressing specific community priorities:

Theme 1: A Place to Live

• Focus on affordable, accessible housing, community facilities, and resilient services.
• Projects include a community hub, shop, transport improvements, and housing feasibility studies.

Theme 2: A Skilled Place

• Emphasis on training, education, and employment.
• Initiatives include a Learning Hub, volunteering programmes, and apprenticeships in local industries.

Theme 3: A Beautiful and Safe Place

• Commitment to environmental stewardship, biodiversity, and safety.
• Projects include peatland restoration, flood prevention, playparks, and nature trails.

Theme 4: An Enterprising Place

• Aims to build a diverse and innovative local economy.
• Includes development of eco-tourism, enterprise hubs, local produce outlets, and regeneration of The Grouse Inn.

Key Outcomes for the Community

The plan sets out a roadmap for regeneration and sustainability, with expected outcomes including:

• Revitalised population through housing and employment.
• Improved quality of life via enhanced services, transport, and facilities.
• Economic growth through tourism, enterprise, and local business support.
• Environmental resilience with nature-based solutions and net-zero transition.
• Stronger community identity and cohesion, preserving heritage and promoting wellbeing.

The Cabrach Trust will anchor the plan’s implementation, working with Moray Council and other partners, while community sub-groups will help deliver specific projects.

You can read the full place plan here.