In February 2020, Stromness Community Development Trust (SCDT) hosted its first Community Afternoon at Stromness Community Centre. The free event brought together people of all ages for an afternoon of activities, conversation and connection.
Activities included a bouncy castle provided by local group Stromness Mums and Toddlers, table tennis, carpet bowls, arts and crafts, and use of the snooker and pool tables. Stromness Rocks also ran a popular rock painting activity.
Many local residents and visitors dropped in during the afternoon — some to take part in activities, others simply to enjoy soup and sandwiches, coffee and home baking. Alongside the social side of the event, it also provided an opportunity for people to meet members of the SCDT board and the Development Officer, learn more about ongoing projects, ask questions and share ideas about the future of Stromness.
These kinds of events form part of SCDT’s wider approach to community engagement, ensuring that local people have opportunities to contribute to the development and direction of the town.
Stromness Local Place Plan
SCDT has also worked in partnership with other organisations to support longer-term planning for Stromness.
In 2019 the Trust was involved in “What’s Next for Stromness”, a partnership project between Orkney Islands Council and Stromness Community Council, facilitated by Planning Aid Scotland. The project involved a series of community events where local people shared ideas, priorities and aspirations for the future of the town.
The feedback gathered through this process helped shape the Stromness Local Place Plan — a community-led document that sets out a shared vision and priorities for the town. Local Place Plans provide communities with an opportunity to influence planning policy and future development by feeding directly into the Local Development Plan.
To download a copy of the Stromness Local Place Plan click the link below
Refreshing the Plan
SCDT is now supporting a refresh of the Stromness Local Place Plan to reflect new priorities, opportunities and challenges facing the town.
This updated plan will build on the earlier work while capturing current community views on issues such as housing, movement and transport, town centre activity, heritage, tourism, community facilities and the wider wellbeing of the town.
The refreshed plan will provide an updated evidence base to support community-led projects and help guide future decisions affecting Stromness.
You can find out more about the process and take part in the current engagement activities via the News page.