THE FOUR QUARTERS

We have big ambitions for Stranraer and the Rhins and all it has to offer locally, regionally and to visitors from Scotland, England, Ireland and beyond.

Examining the 5 Strands of locals’ needs and solutions through a physical ‘Place’ lens and applying our values and principles, we identified key opportunities to help the town grow and thrive. We have zoned these solutions into Four Quarters across the town.

Quarter 1: One Waterfront

Quarter 2: Uptown

Quarter 3: Enterprise Zone

Quarter 4: Sanctuary

Q1: One Waterfront

Reimagine the whole lochside as One Waterfront, an amphitheatre for watersports, a hub for eco-tourism around the Rhins, repositioning Stranraer as a marine leisure destination with the new Watersports Centre and much expanded Marina. Transform the East Pier and Station to create a promenade, piazza and event space connecting to paths along the Waterfront and into town. Develop an integrated Transport Hub as a safe and well-designed starting point for the thousands expected to flock to the new Coast to Coast Cycle Route. Long term, explore the best position for the station.

Q2: Uptown

Define a new town centre quarter, Uptown, around the phoenix-like return of The George Hotel as an arts hub, bunkhouse and climbing/caving centre, encompassing the town’s key public venues: the Millennium Centre, Ryan Centre, Museum, Library and King Street arts hub. Explore the viability of wet weather leisure. As Stranraer’s culture, leisure and community zone, Uptown offers fresh and compelling reasons-to-visit for wide-ranging users, growing the town’s culture and leisure economy.

Q3: Enterprise Zone

Transform the town centre to secure and revive the historic town centre for housing and enterprise. Invest in a makeover that includes wayfinding and view/path-making from town centre to sea. Animate the high street through ‘meantime opportunities’. Move proposed lorry parks from the East Pier to the industrial estate. Work with the Furniture Project Review vacant and derelict properties

Q4: Sanctuary

Develop unused land along the Black Stank burn as a 20-acre wellbeing sanctuary, protecting and promoting blue-green life. Link to Dick’s Hill Wellbeing Hub power a culture of growing, cooking, diet and food knowledge. Connect to Net Zero park to protect the environment and promote climate knowledge. Develop Adventure Playground, Tonic Wild Wellness Hub and Outdoor Learning Centre. Link to Active Travel with circular routes and paths.

See Section 7 Solutions for more detail on the Four Quarters.