Move to improve look of Thurso with pictures in empty shop windows
A Thurso Community Council (TCC) subgroup is leading an initiative to place photographs in derelict/empty shop windows to improve the look of the town.
Part of the Thurso Town Centre Initiative 2024 the TCC is also involved in brightening the planters on the esplanade, repainting the town’s benches and weeding.
Thelma Mackenzie, the chair of TCC said: “We are keen to speak to all local stakeholders and will be contacting key groups directly. We welcome working with Thurso Community Development Trust (TCDT) and other key partners to ensure that all parts of our community are involved.”
The subgroup also recently took on leading the production of the Thurso Local Place Plan as it noted that these are typically led by the community council in an area.
The Highland Council is keen for community councils to carry out this work and TCC wants to seek other local organisations with a link to planning to join it in partnership for this work. TCDT has already committed to be part of the consultation exercise and will consider how else it can be involved.
TCC has been publicising the following draft programme for this work:
• August 2024 - Early stage work such as submission of the Notification of Intent to the Highland Council completed.
• September 2024 - Publicity to ask if any other bodies want to partner with TCC and TCDT for the production of the Local Place Plan.
• October - November 2024 - Public consultation (Stage 1).
• November 2024 - Form a steering group and define the Plan Area.
• February 2025 - Stakeholder Workshop to determine what should be in the Plan and referring to Stage 1 public consultation responses.
• April 2025 - Draft Plan production.
• May - June 2025 - Public consultation (Stage 2) considering the draft Plan.
• September 2025 - Finalisation of the Plan, potentially modifying the draft.
• October 2025 - Submission of the final Local Place Plan to the Highland Council, placing of the plan on their register.
The Stage 1 consultation is planned before Christmas this year. Louise Smith from Thurso Town Centre Initiative 2024, said: “We are likely to be seeking funding to support the ongoing delivery of this key piece of work. We are keen to have potential partners/stakeholders contact TCC at this stage.”
She adds that interested parties can contact her at: thursocc2024@outlook.com
