31 October 2019

Successful community open day at Banff Vinery

A community open day to showcase proposals for the Vinery at Banff’s Airlie Gardens has been hailed a success.

Aberdeenshire Council hosted the event on Saturday, October 26 to unveil the ambitious plans and consult with the community.

The £242,832 project being funded through the Scottish Government Town Centre Fund will focus on the redevelopment of the Grade B listed Glass House and associated Bothy.

Community consultation undertaken last year identified the preferred use for the buildings as a ‘community garden and horticultural skills base’ which was closely followed in votes by a ‘community kitchen and café’.

Appointed project operators SAMH (Scotland’s Association for Mental Health) and architects GD Lodge were on hand at the weekend to discuss the proposals, listen to suggestions and provide information on the redevelopment.

Town Centre Project Officer Debbie Robertson said: “The event was well-attended and the responses received to the plans were very positive.

“There was also plenty of fun for all the family and the local community came out to try their hand at some yoga, reflexology and the children enjoyed hunting in the gardens in the fruit and veg trail.”

Councillor Glen Reynolds, chair of the Banff Development Partnership, commented: "I congratulate all involved in the event which took place at the Vinery aimed at ensuring the public are kept informed as to the proposals which have recently received Scottish Town Centre funding.

“I wish this project well. It is not a done deal yet, but there is a clear momentum that the project materialises into a gateway project into Banff, with SAMH and the design proposals seeking to include many different groups into the plans for the new vision for this area."

Councillor Andy Kille, chair of the Banff and Buchan Area Committee, said: “I am delighted to see such keen interest from the local community in the GrowBanff@TheVinery project.

“These proposals have real potential to re-develop the Vinery into a flagship site within Banff for community-led regeneration with benefits for health and wellbeing, enterprise and tourism.”

Maja Grigorjeva, service manager with My Life Dynamic added: “SAMH are delighted to be involved with GrowBanff@TheVinery. We enjoyed meeting with very enthusiastic members of the community in Banff on Saturday to hear what they wanted to see and we look forward to continuing to work alongside the community as the project develops.”