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TOWN PROFILE : STONEHAVEN, SCOTLAND
Stonehaven is the largest town in Kincardine and Mearns The town's different phases of development are reflected in its varied built heritage, ranging from the original fishing village around the High Street, the 'new' town grid of the 18th/19th centuries, the large stone-walled villas of the Victorian era, and the most recent phase of development in the wake of oil and gas in the North East.
Stonehaven acts as an important centre for administration and services, both commercial and public. Fast transport links available with the completion of the A90 dual carriageway, main line rail links, combined with the town's attractive location and proximity to Badentoy and Altens employment areas, have encouraged its growth as a commuter settlement. Stonehaven benefits from the Aberdeenshire Towns Partnership, bringing together the Council, Scottish Enterprise Grampian, Communities Scotland, business and community representatives.
A strategy and action plan, prepared for the Aberdeenshire Towns Partnership, sets out priorities for the town. Key themes focussing on housing, employment, community and tourist infrastructure have been identified within this strategic approach for Stonehaven. The Stonehaven Business Association will play an important role in delivering the development plan.
Population
|
|
2001 |
2004 |
(Forecast) 2006 |
(Forecast) 2011 |
|
Population |
9,580 |
10,515 |
10,247 |
10,073 |
Source: General Register Office for Scotland data and Council forecast 2005
Stonehaven has steadily grown over the last 20 years peaking over the last four years. This has been due to a number of new housing sites being developed. It is anticipated that there will not be the same rate of new housing in Stonehaven in the immediate future resulting in a decrease in population due to changing household per unit trends. This trend mirrors that of the rest of Aberdeenshire and Scotland.
Land Development
Housing
Housing Stock |
1991 |
2001 |
2004 |
Change |
No. of Units |
3,663 |
4,110 |
4,544 |
+24% |
Past Completions |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
|
No. of Units |
178 |
226 |
124 |
84 |
Over the past four years, 612 additional dwellings have been built in Stonehaven. This development took place in a variety of locations with much of it to the north (Glenury), north west (Slug Road/ Redcloak) and west (Malcolm's Mount) of the settlement. A considerable number of units (76 in total) have also been built on smaller brownfield redevelopment sites within the town itself. These have tended to be flats rather than houses.
|
Future Completions |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
|
No. of Units |
26 |
5 |
0 |
Residual capacity remains on sites zoned for housing for an additional 156 houses, of which 131 have planning permission. A further 50 units on other sites have planning permission. Housing land is located mainly to the north and north west of the settlement at Glenury and Slug Road, and to the south east at Braehead.
Source: Housing Schedules, Aberdeenshire Council, 2005
Industry
|
Industrial Land |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
|
Past Take-Up (Hectares) |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
There are 9.5 hectares of land zoned for industrial development, all of which are classed as marketable, but none are yet serviced. This land is located at East Newtonleys, to the south of the settlement.
Source: Employment Land Audit, Aberdeenshire Council 2005
Labour Market
Main Employers
|
Company/Organisation |
Activity |
|
Polymer Holdings Ltd |
Plastics Manufacturing |
|
Gemini Corrosion Services Ltd |
Shotblasting and Spray Painting |
|
Somerfield Stores Ltd |
Retailing |
|
Community Health Services (Kincardine) Ltd (Mowat Court Nursing Home) |
Nursing Home Services |
|
Ringdane Ltd (Havencourt Nursing Home) |
Nursing Home Services |
|
Grampian Primary Care NHS Trust |
Health Services |
|
Aberdeenshire Council |
Local Government Services |
Definition based on more than 40 employees.
Source: Various
Employment
Employees in Employment
by Sector |
Stonehaven* |
Aberdeenshire |
No. |
% of Total |
No. |
% of Total |
|
|
Agriculture/Fishing |
6 |
0.2 |
1,954 |
2.6 |
|
|
Energy/Water |
4 |
0.1 |
1,856 |
2.5 |
|
|
Manufacturing |
206 |
7.0 |
11,607 |
15.5 |
|
|
Construction |
194 |
6.6 |
6,566 |
8.8 |
|
|
Distribution/Hotels/Restaurants |
693 |
23.5 |
19,114 |
25.5 |
|
|
Transport/Communications |
130 |
4.4 |
3,193 |
4.3 |
|
|
Banking/Insurance/Finance etc |
337 |
11.4 |
8,267 |
11.0 |
|
|
Public Admin/Education/Health |
1,187 |
40.3 |
18,364 |
24.5 |
|
|
Other Services |
189 |
6.4 |
3,934 |
5.3 |
|
|
Total |
2,946 |
100.0 |
74,854 |
100.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
* Stonehaven defined as former district wards Stonehaven North, and Kinneff and Stonehaven South. Data from agriculture class 0100 (1992 SIC) excluded from ward analysis.
Source: Annual Business Inquiry 2002, Office for National Statistics (NOMIS)
Unemployment
|
|
Male |
Female |
Total |
Rate |
|
Stonehaven* |
76 |
19 |
95 |
1.5% |
|
Aberdeenshire |
1,646 |
565 |
2,211 |
1.6% |
|
Scotland |
82,078 |
23,850 |
105,928 |
3.4% |
* Stonehaven defined as former district wards Stonehaven North, and Kinneff and Stonehaven South. Ward rate is estimated. Unemployment as at January 2004.
Source: Office for National Statistics (NOMIS)
Tourism
Stonehaven was a popular tourist town in the 1930s and 50s. In common with most other smaller British seaside resorts the number of holidaymakers has declined. The town, however, retains a number of attractive features for tourists, including Stonehaven Open Air Pool, the Tolbooth Museum, Dunnottar Castle and Art Deco Carron Restaurant.
Stonehaven also benefits from good transport links, proximity to the tourist 'honeypot' of Royal Deeside, and an attractive landscape setting. The North Sea Cycle Route links Stonehaven to the National Cycle Network developed by Sustrans. The network provides recommended routes for cyclists throughout the UK, and includes Aberdeen and North East Scotland. There is also potential to develop the existing coastal footpaths north and south of Stonehaven though the Nave Nortrail project.
A number of popular, well established events occur in Stonehaven throughout the year. These are:
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