Culbokie Community Trust tables bid to put heart back into village with transformational hub and village green scheme on Black Isle
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A BID to create a transformational community hub in the heart of a Black Isle village has taken a major step forward with the submission of a planning proposal to Highland Council.
Culbokie Community Trust has drawn up designs for a new village green and hub which include a small café and courtyard, orchard and a traditional timber shelter with a living roof.
Also envisaged are wildflower meadows, a potting shed as a volunteer base, and a natural play area.
The proposal also includes a community toilet and parking space.
The bid represents the culmination of years of hard work by local activists after land was purchased under the Community Right to Buy scheme.
The design statement explains: “Culbokie village is very spread out, has no real centre and in the last 30 years has grown beyond the services and facilities that are currently available.
“Culbokie Community Trust aims to put the heart back into the village for those that live here, and also to bring in friends and neighbours from the surrounding area to use the new services and help support the other businesses and facilities that already exist.”
The application foresees the erection of two new community buildings with parking and landscaped area, including shelter.
The space is currently being used as a site yard for housing development.
The new village heart will be at Glascairn on land adjacent to the Culbokie shop.
A community consultation and a postal ballot demonstrated strong support for the project.
The proposal sits alongside the development of a new village green as a focal point for a range of outdoor activities. It will have trees and wildflower meadows, paths and seating, a gathering space and shelter, a community orchard, a natural play space and a herb garden. It will also integrate with a proposed new active travel route running alongside the site and through the village.
Supporters behind the scheme say: “It is felt that the proposal will offer a versatile focal point for both the residents and visitors of Culbokie that will continue to offer an exceptional community facility for years to come.”
The design uses a mix of hard wearing materials including natural timber, metal cladding and corrugated roofing to allow the buildings to share a common identity to the surrounding traditional agricultural buildings found in the area.
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Community trust to hold public consultation over Culbokie plans
