Heathercroft Road site chosen for Upper Achintore community hub

After over two years of extensive consultations and survey work, a site has been identified to accommodate the proposed Upper Achintore community hub, writes Fiona Scott.

The hub will serve the existing 700 households in the community as well as residents of 325 houses currently under construction by Link Housing.

The hub is being designed by Gary Johnston Consultants – the proposed building could also possibly accommodate a grocery shop and the site itself will have provision for overnight campervan hook-ups.

At its meeting on Monday February 20, members of Upper Achintore Regeneration Group (UARG) committee agreed unanimously that the site on Heathercroft Road was the best option.

This site has the benefits of being centrally located relative to existing and future housing, good proximity to the neighbouring Plantation housing, and has good vehicular and footpath access to the wider area.

Preliminary supportive advice has come from the council planners, while site owner, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, has advised that the land can be made available and will be held for two years – until February 2025.

UARG chairman Mark Linfield, pictured, said: “The Community Hub will be a multi-purpose building for integrated services and events; a focus for bringing our community together; for meeting their needs, facilitating interest groups as well as enterprise and business.”

The main building will extend to 470 square metres – roughly the size of Kilmallie Hall – with a hall, smaller studio rooms and a community kitchen.

Mark added: “We urgently need this facility. Activities could include a lunch club, bingo, keep fit, dancing, skills and training, arts and crafts, amateur dramatics, concerts, social clubs, special interest groups, pre/after school clubs, a café, pet training, family functions and events.”

Anyone who would like to help with the work involved in this ongoing community project should email the group’s secretary at uarg19@ aol.com.

Detailed design plans are currently in preparation and the group intend to carry out another public consultation event in the near future.