Broughty Ferry Castle and Beach
Are you a resident of Broughty Ferry? Or someone who works there. Then please join the Trust. It’s free. Email with your name and Address
info@broughtyferrydevelopmenttrust.com
Even if you are not a Resident, you can still become a “friend” and be kept up to date with news. Email us at the address above
LATEST NEWS
We have been given £10,000 from the “Awards for All” Lottery to do a business feasibility study on the building we have proposed for the beach. This should take place during the first 6 months of 2012. (See Castle Green Project Page)
We had a public meeting to discuss results of our architectural feasibility study on DECEMBER 8th 2010. Please click “Castle Green Study” above for more details of the feasibility study.
In April 2011 Dundee City Council accepted our proposals for the sort of new building that would be suitable for our beachfront sight.
Our proposed building
The Trust initially had 3 issues which they regarded as priorities .
Restoration of Barometer Cottage
The need: Barometer Cottage is one of the most prominent and historic buildings in Broughty Ferry. In recent years it has become dilapidated. The aim was to restore this cottage to its former state and rent it out to visitors to provide an income stream for the Development Trust. However, the owner decided to restore it and this has now been completed and the cottage is now back to its former glory.
Fisherman’s Graveyard Historical Project
The need: Although The Fisherman’s Graveyard is one of the most historic sites in Broughty Ferry, it has been closed to the public for some years. There is need to provide more for visitors to do and, using this as a base, we hope to re-open it to the public with added story boards in suitable locations outlining the fishing heritage of Broughty Ferry. We have funding to complete the first part of this project which will provide story boards inside and outside the graveyard. We hope to open the graveyard to the public in a limited way.
Community Building on Seafront
The need: There are various activities which relate specifically to Broughty Ferry seafront which could be housed under one roof near the beach, namely lifeguards; crazy golf/go carts; dolphin watching/interpretive activities; Environmental Project; demonstration of renewable technology, etc. An attractive, eco-friendly building, using renewable technology which would house these activities, and possibly others yet to be identified, with a café would provide a base for the Development Trust and an income stream. This would replace the existing ugly Water Sports Centre (now demolished thanks to our campaign) – the focus of unwanted private development plans.
New Project – Lamp Posts on Beach Crescent
The lamp posts on Beach Crescent are in a very poor state. We hope to restore at least some of them to their former condition.
Courier Report of Public Meeting on 8th December 2010
Background
The formation of a Development Trust has been on the agenda of various groups for some time without much progress. A Community Trust is an organisation set up to empower communities to tackle issues which concern them. A Trust is set up within the local community to tackle one or more local problems. Some feel that these things are the responsibilityof the Council, but many will have had experiences where the Council is unwilling or unable to act. There are many reasons for this. The Council has limited funds and although it might like to provide every community with everything they could wish for AND reduce council tax, this is just not possible. Additionally, there are other bodies willing to provide funds not available to local authorities, for example the National Lottery. These can be accessed by Community Development Trusts as charitable bodies and lever more money into projects than Councils could provide. Working in partnership with the local authority is , however, an absolute necessity for the Trust.
Excellent
An excellent idea.
Broughty Ferry is a pleasant place to visit, but with care to some items (as, for example, mentioned above), its charms could be enhanced.
The situation with Barometer Cottage has for a long time mystified me. Its location gives it a massive holiday let potential.
I wish you good luck with your endeavours.
I act for the owners of Barometer Cottage who are in the process of restoring the cottage, contractors will be instructed within the next few weeks, the restoration works already have Listed Building Consent and will include the replacement of the barometer (our client already has a barometer for the purpose).
My business is based in Broughty Ferry and an organisation like the Broughty Ferry Development Trust is an excellent idea where local people and businesses can help support each other. I’m proud to become a member and be part of the future development and enhancement of Broughty Ferry.
Is there any chance of an update on the situation with any of the projects?
Why is your membership limited to only those who live and work in Broughty Ferry? Shouldn’t it be those who live, work and visit? I live outwith the Ferry in another area of Dundee but visit regularly and take an interest in this area. This may limit you when applying for funding in the future as most funders look for groups to have a remit that gives access to all.
It is not uncommon for Development Trusts to limit membership to residents. The whole thrust of Broughty Ferry Development Trust is to give the residents as stakeholders a bigger say in what is developed in their community. In making our membership as wide as possible we decided to include people who work in Broughty Ferry. This is a response to what many residents felt was inappropriate development or development plans for Broughty Ferry’s valuable riverfront sight. “Visitors” are just too imprecise a category. It is difficult to define “a visitor”. However, we recognise that there are many people who do visit Broughty Ferry but dont live or work there who are interested in the future of the area. We have a special category of member – “friend” who can join us and get all the updates etc so they can keep up with developments but they would not be able to vote at and AGM.
Anya Lawrence
Administrator of BFDT