Strand 5.1: Vacant & Derelict Spaces

Pain Point

East Pier/Station

• The East Pier is a desolate arrival point and a waste of prime space on the seafront.

• The train terminal is often unstaffed and unkempt. (See 2.1.)

Black Stank

• The Black Stank burn is a flood risk and a wasted asset running through wasteland in the middle of town.

Vacant/derelict assets

• High number of ‘to let’ signs in town centre: empty properties are a waste of prime location

• Dangerous, declining buildings including high profile Repeater Station at entrance to town on A77 and The Arches in Hanover Street.

• Historic buildings in town are in decline.

Solution

East Pier/Station

• Access Scottish Government’s promised £6 million plus the £2 million each from the Council and enterprise company to secure the Pier for community-led regeneration of the Pier.

• Explore cost-benefit options of moving the station along the Pier or to the old Station Street location.

• Work with Stena meantime to clear up the East Pier (they have short term plans to provide two serviced lorry parks) with improved lighting. Keep in dialogue on Place Plan/future plans. Town Team connect with Stena/new haulage companies to secure match funding to improve presentation of public areas eg provide artwork for the pier working with Creative Stranraer, Transport Team, College Art & Design learners and professional artists. (See Environment.)

‘Meantime Opportunities’

• Negotiate short term, low cost leases agents in the town centre to animate the high street, improve the attractiveness of empty sites and provide short-term space to start-up businesses or artists as lower risk opportunities.

Town makeover

• Develop Creative Stranraer art projects (mural, photo wall)

• Develop What We Do Next project with The Stove and artists to bring creative solutions to www.creatingstranraer.co.uk

Town makeover

• Develop Creative Stranraer art projects (mural, photo wall)

• Develop What We Do Next project with The Stove and artists to bring creative solutions to ugly spaces

• Use shopfront improvements grants and other schemes to Incentivise and support upgrading town centre premises… fix-up, painting, awnings, bunting.

• Promote community activities like Spring Clean and Beach Clean Up.

• Review and improve town centre. Ties in with Transport - review traffic speeds, routes and flow; create ‘shared roadways’; review parking; widen footpaths; more street seating (some sheltered); ‘green’ public spaces; update visitor signage.

Community Asset Transfer

• Consider cost-benefit and feasibility of taking assets into community ownership: Repeater Station as marine centre; hospital suite as health hub; unused Council building near Park for Unexpected Hub; The Grapes (Stranraer’s oldest pub) as community pub zoning use/times to support people in Recovery, young people below drinking-age; older people looking for social connection.

• Identify dangerous/unsightly/wasteful buildings for potential community ownership to employment.

• Create opportunities for start-up businesses.

Next Steps

• Identify community partners and set up forums advised by Council experts.

• Set key targets and commission research to scope high level possibilities.

• Work with Council and community to approach owners to negotiate change.

• Harness powers, regulations and laws as levers for change eg to take over derelict buildings and use Community Asset Transfer and other vehicles to build community ownership and facilitate transformation.

PARTNERS: Dumfries & Galloway Council; Scottish Land Fund, Unexpected Garden; Arts Hub; Stranraer Development Trust; Scottish Government; Stena; agents and landlords www.creatingstranraer.co.uk