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

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

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.

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

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

Definition based on more than 40 employees.
Source: Various

Employment

*  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

*  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:

·       Stonehaven Feein’ Market, June

·       RW Thomson Memorial Rally, June

·       Stonehaven Half Marathon, July

·       Stonehaven Folk Festival, July

·       Stonehaven Highland Games, July

·       MRI Harbour Festival, August

·       Stonehaven Harbour Hi-Jinks, August

·       Stonehaven Fireball Festival, Hogmany, December 31st

Travel to Work

*  Stonehaven defined as Postcode Sector AB3.2

Source: 1991 Census (Travel to Work data from the 2001 Census will be available later this year)Updated March 2004.
Source: Aberdeenshire Council Statistics 2003/4.
General Register Office for Scotland © Crown copyright.

Stonehaven: Scotland

(a)     Stonehaven Development Strategy

Stonehaven has a plan for a bright future.  It is a strategy for sustainable development, giving the town the tools and qualities to satisfy the changing needs of Stonehaven residents and visitors

The strategy is a non –statutory document, although certain elements are being taken forward in the form of written supplementary guidance. e.g. Signage and Interpretation and Promotion/Marketing Strategies; Review of Underused Property in Stonehaven.

(b)         The Strategy Aims

The Strategy was launched in 1998 and the Stonehaven Town Partnership has been working towards achieving the aims over the last seven years.  These aims are:

1.             To highlight, protect, and improve the physical setting of the town

2.             To identify potential housing and employment sites which suit the setting of the town

3.             To support and develop local businesses

4.             To develop and improve community and tourist infrastructure

5.             To enhance the image and improve the perception of the town

(c)     Progress to Date

The implementation of the strategy has produced lasting results:

1.             Securing the towns environmental assets through Improvements to the Harbour, the Baywalk, the Railway Station, the Bervie Braes, Market Square and the Den of Logie

2.             Securing 193 of 400 houses being affordable units; ongoing investments averaging £1million per year.

3.             Stonehaven Business Support Project assisted in increasing membership in the Stonehaven Business Association by more than 100% (now standing at over 100 members) and also broadening the range of their representational activities such as the Stonehaven Farmers and Produce Market.  Arduthie Business Centre has been developed and a Town Centre Inventory has been completed.

4.             Tourist Orientation and Pedestrian Directional signs have been erected at key locations through the town.

5.             Assisted and encouraged community and business participation in the provision of community and recreation infrastructure.  This has lead to a powerful and coordinated marketing and promotion structure being established called Stonehaven…It’s Special.  The Horizon project has focussed upon improving the appearance of the town through the civic pride initiative.

(d)              The Future

Stonehaven’s priorities are adapting as Stonehaven's membership of the Aberdeenshire Towns Partnership reaches maturity, however, some key issues remain to be addressed:

·         Completion of the Town Hall feasibility study and exploring options for funding and operating the Town Hall in partnership with the community.

·         Completion of long-term visioning exercise “Imagine Stonehaven”.  Leading to the development of Stonehaven’s website and Stonehaven Town Guide

·         Developing further promotional and events opportunities through Stonehaven…it's Special and, in particular, a town-based strategy for tourism development.

·         Broadening further the range of representational activities and membership of Stonehaven Business Association and other community based organisations.

·         Developing further the civic pride and environmental programmes within the town through the Horizon Project.

·         Completing Phase 3 of the tourism signage and interpretation strategy

·         Further development of Stonehaven's path network.

·         Public arts projects

(e)               Partnership and Decision Making

The three partners in the Aberdeenshire Towns Partnership (ATP) - Aberdeenshire Council (local authority), Scottish Enterprise Grampian (SEG) (economic development agency) and Communities Scotland (regeneration and housing agency) – allocate funding on an annual basis, but with a three-year view of priorities.  Decision-making is largely devolved to the Partnership Board.  Each of the local town groups bring forward planned proposals for funding to the Board, who take an overall view of the competing demands upon the funds available.

As membership of the Towns Partnership reaches maturity, succession planning and providing the community with a wider role to play in the town's development; both in terms of strategy and delivery of projects needs to be developed.  There is now a focus on establishing a separate legal entity that will take forward future development projects and funding applications, strategy and delivery of projects.

(f)        Funding

Aberdeenshire Council and SEGrampian contribute in the order of £400,000 per annum as core funding.  While Communities Scotland contributes significantly larger amounts (£3million per annum) this is generally directed to supporting housing initiatives by social housing providers, or to support the private sector in affordable housing provision.

The current approved funding plan for Stonehaven 2005/6 is shown below:

(g)              Local Structure

Within the overall framework described above, each town is able to develop a local partnership and decision-making structure appropriate to its own needs.  The structure for Stonehaven is shown in the diagram.  The Constituent groups that make up the Stonehaven Strategy Group have evolved over time and as a result of community activity, aspiration and priority.  The Town Team (Officer Support Group) is made up of Local Authority and other agency staff – health service, police, economic development agency etc – and takes forward the detailed work underpinning the Strategy and support the various groups as may be required.

See Local Structure Diagram here

(h)              Town Contacts

(i)      Supporting Documents

·              Stonehaven Development Strategy, Gillespies

·              Stonehaven Town Centre Study, Donaldsons

·              Stonehaven : Taking the Strategy Forward, John Lord Associates

·              Stonehaven Events Economic Impact Study, Ironside Farrar Ltd

·              Market Square, Lanes and Promenade Streetscape Enhancement Scheme, Stonehaven, Paul Hogarth Co.

·              Review of Vacant and Underused Property in Stonehaven, Rydens

·              Stonehaven Pilot Company Survey, Systems Insight Ltd

·              Stonehaven Signage, Interpretation & Promotional/Marketing Strategies, Ironside Farrar Ltd

·              Stonehaven Path Network Feasibility Study, Chris Cairns

·              Stonehaven Capacity Study, Aberdeenshire Council

For more information on Stonehaven visit the Stonehaven Guide  website

For information on Stonehaven Business Association go to website

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