Executive summary - Huntly and District Development Trust · ii Executive summary Develop a Huntly...

Final report

Robert Gordon University

Centre for Understanding Sustainable Practice

Joanneke Kruijsen

November 2010

i

Contract Ref 09.319.01.A01

Title Huntly Sustainability Plan

Date 08/11/2010

Version Final report

Author(s) Robert Gordon University/CUSP (Joanneke Kruijsen)

Circulation list Huntly Development Trust: Board and Staff

Objective Deliver final findings on the Huntly Sustainability Plan.

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Executive summary

Develop a Huntly Sustainability Plan (HuSP) on how Huntly can be more sustainable and describe

what role the Huntly Development Trust (HDT) and others can play to make this happen.

The Centre for Understanding Sustainable Practice of Robert Gordon University (CUSP) has been

asked to write this HuSP and support HDT in prioritising the steps towards a more sustainable

Huntly. The underlying document is the final report on the findings. This project has been split into

4 phases: analysis of the background for the plan plus a vision for the future, synthesis leading to

the holistic portfolio for a sustainable Huntly, assessment of the portfolio and finally reporting the

results.

The reasons behind the quest for HuSP are formulated in two layers. The noble motivation

is to change the current non-sustainable way of living and the practical motivation as stated by the

development manager and strongly endorsed by the HDT board is the need for continuity of HDT

and its activities. This motivation formed the basis for the set of assessment criteria.

The vision for the future of a sustainable Huntly pictures a visitor who hasn’t been in Huntly

over the past 5 years when he comes back to Huntly in 2015 and chats with the locals about what

Huntly has become.

Based on Huntly’s needs and what is available in terms of sustainable solutions, the holistic

project portfolio for a sustainable Huntly was developed. This ‘roadmap’ with 25 projects, spread

over the town of Huntly, delivering different aspects of sustainable development and coming to

fruition in different periods of time are provided to inspire the Huntly community to work towards a

sustainable development.

These projects have been assessed on the basis of the criteria as agreed beforehand in

order to give HDT a clear programme of next steps for implementation. The following conclusions

and recommendations were provided for the Trust.

Main conclusions:

1. There is not one solution to make Huntly more sustainable: a holistic portfolio of projects is

needed.

2. There is not an instant solution: a variety of projects coming to fruition in different time scales is

needed.

3. These projects are all interconnected with the hub literally in the middle.

4. These projects will strengthen each other and improve their contribution towards a sustainable

Huntly.

5. A different perspective or focus will lead to a different prioritisation of projects.

6. Community commitment and involvement is crucial.

7. The role of the Trust is mainly that of coordinator, sometimes as initiator/project manager,

sometimes as partner.

8. Huntly can be an example for other market towns by choosing the integrated, holistic approach

as provided in the project portfolio.

Main recommendations

A. At the moment, securing HDT’s future is priority number one for the board. We recommend that

the Trust starts with a focus purely on the potential of income generating projects.

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B. Once the future of HDT is safeguarded, the focus can be shifted towards the sustainability

issues. To enable the change in behaviour in the town of Huntly, we therefore recommend the

following prioritisation. This prioritisation intends to start the discussion, firstly among the HDT

board members and secondly with the community (see also the last recommendation):

I. We recommend that the Trust is based at a recognisable location in the Town at the

Huntly Hub.

II. The Trust picks up the role of ‘town coordinator’ meaning that the Trust provides a

platform for coordination of activities within Huntly with all relevant stakeholders.

III. We recommended to start with the realisation of a couple of quick wins. These quick

wins, although not scoring in the top 6 of sustainability issues, can be done by the Trust

(project 24 sustainable tourism and project 19 delivery service), or the Trust can

support others to deliver the quick wins (project 3 SCARF who is working on HIS and

project 17 Aberdeenshire Council to promote public transport.)

IV. We recommend to start parallel to the quick wins with the realisation of the mid-term

projects: project 12 Repair & recycling and project 16 cycling track.

V. And finally, we recommend to form working groups with both local stakeholders and

experts to start the discussions for the longer term projects: project 9 carbon neutral

and project 14 zero waste.

C. The board can be supported in their own prioritisation when they perform the exercise of filling

out a matrix of low/high input versus low/high output.

D. Finally, we strongly recommend to provide feedback to the community and other stakeholders

on this sustainability plan by producing a ‘popular version’ and organise a community meeting

where the public can tell themselves what they are missing, how they would prioritise the

activities and who would like to become involved.

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Table of contents

Executive summary ii

1 Introduction 1

2 Current situation 2

2.1 Motivation 2

2.2 Huntly anno 2010 3

2.2.1 An historic market town 3

2.2.2 The wider context 4

2.2.3 Stakeholder analysis 5

2.2.4 In conclusion: Huntly’s needs and limitations 6

3 Future situation 7

3.1 Vision for a sustainable Huntly in 2015 8

3.2 Assessment criteria 9

4 The roadmap to a sustainable Huntly 10

4.1 Development of the project portfolio 10

4.2 Project description format 11

4.3 The 25 projects described 12

4.4 The sustainability projects on the Huntly map 22

5 Qualitative assessment of project portfolio 23

5.1 Projects compared: all criteria 23

5.2 Projects compared: sustainability aspects 24

5.3 Projects compared: generating income for HDT 27

5.4 Projects compared: time scale 27

5.5 Projects compared: interconnections 28

6 Closing remarks 29

6.1 Conclusions 29

6.2 Recommendations 30

References 31

Appendices 35

I. Statistical data for Huntly 35

II. Project Portfolio with all 25 project descriptions 39

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Table of Figures & Tables

Figure 1. Project outline in four phases. 2

Figure 2: Stakeholders HuSP. 5

Figure 3. Example of energy information centre: BeGreen (Sustaining Dunbar, 2010). 13

Figure 4. Green roof Bijenberg, Barneveld NL, slope 35% (Green Roofs, 2010) 14

Figure 5. Green roof Delft University Library, Delft NL,slope 15% (Green Roofs, 2010) 14

Figure 6. Example of community micro-hydro before and after the installation of the

turbines (Torrs Hydro, 2010). 14

Figure 7. Didcot sewage works in Oxfordshire is now producing biomethane from human

waste for injection into the gas grid (Didcot, 2010). 15

Figure 8. Example of solar plant on roof of distribution centre (Willebroek, 2010). 15

Figure 9. Reduce, reuse, recycle (Waste Aware Scotland, 2010) 16

Figure 10. ‘Room to Recycle’ campaign by the Aberdeenshire Council: The Bathroom, The

Bedroom, The Living Room and The Kitchen (Waste Aware Aberdeenshire,

2010). 17

Figure 11. Redbridge Cycling Centre Track Options (Redbridge Cycling Centre, 2010) 19

Figure 12. Royal Mail Bike 19

Figure 13. Fruit trees in the streets of Ronda, Spain. 20

Figure 14. The Huntly sustainability map. 22

Figure 15. Projects compared – interconnections. 28

Table 1. Statistical data for the town of Huntly. 4

Table 2. The middle circle of HDT’s stakeholders. 6

Table 3. The outer circle of HDT’s stakeholders. 6

Table 4. Huntly’s needs in terms of sustainability. 7

Table 5. Assessment criteria and scoring table. 9

Table 6. Project description format. 11

Table 7: Project portfolio for a sustainable Huntly. 12

Table 8. Scoring of all projects. 23

Table 9. Projects compared – all aspects equally. 24

Table 10. Projects compared – the three sustainability aspects. 25

Table 11. Projects compared – social-cultural impact on Huntly. 25

Table 12. Projects compared – economic impact on Huntly. 26

Table 13. Projects compared – ecological impact on Huntly. 26

Table 14. Projects compared – potential income generation for HDT. 27

Table 15. Projects compared – time scales. 27

Table 16. Summary of assessment outcomes. 29

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1 Introduction

Develop a Huntly Sustainability Plan (HuSP) on how Huntly can be more sustainable and describe

what role the Huntly Development Trust (HDT) and others can play to make this happen.

The Centre for Understanding Sustainable Practice of Robert Gordon University (CUSP) has been

asked to write this HuSP and support HDT in prioritising the steps towards a more sustainable

Huntly. This document is the final report on the findings. It gives a vision for a sustainable

development of Huntly and a portfolio of different sustainability projects. These projects have been

assessed on the basis of a set of criteria that were agreed beforehand in order to give HDT a clear

programme of next steps for implementation.

Huntly Development Trust (HDT) is a community enterprise, registered as a company limited by

guarantee with Companies House on 1st May 2009 (Boyd, 2009). HDT’s aim is to undertake

projects providing benefit to the community of Huntly and District in order to “build a resilient,

inclusive, enterprising community capable of dealing with ongoing change.” As a community

enterprise, HDT must strike a balance between undertaking projects for community benefit and the

need to operate as a financially sound, independent and sustainable business.

A key part of HDT’s ethos is to help build community capacity and include the community in

its sustainable development. The initial seed for this sustainability plan stems from the discussion

with community volunteers involved in the transformation of the Aberdeenshire Towns Partnership

to the Huntly Development Trust. This group expressed many ‘green wishes’ for Huntly. Based on

these discussions, theme 6: Improving Our Environment was included in the Huntly Development

Trust Business Plan. Within this theme, the need for a town sustainability plan was identified.

During the first AGM of the Trust, the community – again – asked for more attention for green

issues and confirmed the need for a sustainability plan. This report is based on that confirmation.

The aim of CUSP is to educate and inspire people to embrace sustainable practice as a

fundamental component of their daily lives. It does so in the context of a new virtual centre within

Robert Gordon University (RGU) which brings together a broad range of cross-faculty academic

expertise in energy, business, architecture and social subjects from RGU. The development of

HuSP fits in CUSP’s objective to transfer RGU knowledge for the benefit of local communities.

Huntly forms a good ‘testing ground’ for CUSP to integrate technological and social change based

on RGU knowledge and a local community.

Phasing the project

This project has been split into 4 main phases (see Figure 1):

Phase 1: Analysis of the specific needs in Huntly resulting in an integrated vision for a sustainable

Huntly. The analysis also has led to a set of criteria that has been used to assess potential

projects.

Phase 2: Synthesis of the results of the analysis phase into a holistic project portfolio to make

Huntly more sustainable.

Phase 3: Assessment of the projects on the basis of the criteria formulated in the analysis phase

and evaluation of the assessed project portfolio leading to conclusions and recommendations to

support the Trust in its decision-making on steps towards a sustainable development in Huntly.

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Phase 4: Reporting the final results.

Figure 1. Project outline in four phases.

2 Current situation

The future is built on the past. Before we zoom out to a future vision for Huntly, we first need to

zoom in on the motivation for HuSP and the current situation in Huntly with its needs to be fulfilled

by the sustainability plan.

2.1 Motivation The first project activity focused on the analysis of the reasons behind the need for the Huntly

Sustainability Plan. This HuSP motivation is based on interviews with people within HDT, the

Huntly community, Aberdeenshire Council and CUSP.

The reasons behind the quest for a HuSP are formulated by HDT in two layers. The noble

motivation for the HuSP is the conviction that the current way of living is not sustainable. This is

not so much a problem for today’s generations but it will be for future generations. Things need to

change and the HuSP provides an opportunity to start making a difference.

His view was endorsed by local residents involved in the process of transforming an

Aberdeenshire Council initiative, the Aberdeenshire Towns Partnership (ATP), into an independent

trust, the Huntly Development Trust. Many green ideas were put forward but a cohesive,

overarching plan was missing. Furthermore, a prioritisation of these projects within the limited

resources (money and time) could not be made. In the HDT business plan (Boyd, 2009), in

particular theme 6: Improving Our Environment, the development of a Sustainability Plan is

mentioned. It aims to identify the opportunities, constraints and priorities for reducing Huntly’s

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environmental impact. The HuSP however can provide a broader framework for a sustainable

development of the Huntly community.

The practical motivation for the HuSP as stated by the development manager and strongly

endorsed by the HDT board is the need for continuity of HDT and its activities. A sustainability plan

developed by Robert Gordon University will provide a scientific framework for the selection of

projects and therefore support funding applications. At the moment HDT is funded until 31st March

2011 by Aberdeenshire Council, Scottish Natural Heritage and the LEADER programme

(LEADER, 2009) . By the first of April next year, the Trust aims to be a self-sustaining business.

Specific sustainable projects have the potential to generate an income and/or help to save money

for the Trust. At the moment, HDT has invited tenders for feasibility studies into the potential

development of wind and hydropower.

In conclusion, the expected outcomes for the HuSP are the following:

1. Portfolio of practical projects that could make a difference in Huntly with:

indication of how these projects benefit the different sustainability themes (social,

economic and environmental aspects), how they interact and complement each other,

and how they could generate income for HDT,

locations on the Huntly map,

when they will provide results (timescales: quick wins, medium term (1-5 years) and long

term (5+ years)),

possible project owner (HDT or other) & partners

an overview of possible funding options,

and scoring on 4 quadrants of high/low input versus low/high output.

2. Support for the prioritisation of projects (assessment criteria and preliminary prioritisation).

3. A list of names of (local) people and organisations who would like to be involved in the further

development of the sustainability plan.

4. Publications on HuSP and the development of community sustainability plans to put Huntly

and CUSP ‘on the map’.

2.2 Huntly anno 2010

2.2.1 An historic market town

Huntly is a market town situated in the Northeast of Scotland with around 4,500 inhabitants (ATP

Huntly, 2007). Huntly was previously known as ‘Milltown of Strathbogie’ and has a rich history as

home to a thriving textiles industry. In its heyday halfway through the nineteenth century Huntly

used the flow of the river Bogie to power 7 different mills (Scott, 1999; Nixon, 1871) for different

industries. For many years it was also the home to the powerful Gordon Clan.

A current picture of Huntly shows a town centre with more and more empty shops, two big

supermarkets on the edge of town and an aging population. Recent housing developments have

brought in younger families causing a firm pressure on local facilities, such as midwives and health

visitors.

On the other hand, Huntly and district have many natural resources. The wind is blowing

most of the year. Huntly is situated in the meeting of two rivers, the Deveron and the Bogie. The

Forestry Commission has many woodlands around Huntly and in Huntly, the community ‘produces’

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waste and waste-water. All these can be used to produce renewable energy and form potential

sources of income.

Building on the work of the Aberdeenshire Towns Partnership in Huntly, Huntly

Development Trust has taken the initiative to make a difference for the town of Huntly and its

surrounding district, the AB54 area. A town-marketing plan has been developed and will be

presented shortly. A project on improving the town gateways and signage, a feasibility study of

developing a cycling park, as well as a retail survey have been started intending to make Huntly

and better place to shop, live, visit and work.

As background to the development of the sustainability plan, some statistical data are gathered

from the Scottish Neighbourhood Statistics website (2010). The data are provided per data zone.

The town of Huntly consists of 5 zones. The data given in Table 1 are the sum of the five zones.

The complete and extended table can be found in Appendix I.

Table 1. Statistical data for the town of Huntly.

HUNTLY TOWN

Aberdeen-shire

Scotland

Total Population: 2009 4,359 243510 5194000

Total Population - Working Age (%): 2009 56 61.48 62.55

Percentage of pensionable age: 2009 28 19.44 19.89

Percentage of working age population who are employment deprived: 2008 10 6 12

Total Number of Households: 2001 2,091 90736 2192246

Percentage of Households - Owned: 2001 56 71.27 62.59

Percentage of Households - Social Rented: 2001 38 19.54 29.41

Percentage of Households - Private Rented: 2001 6 9.19 8

2.2.2 The wider context

Huntly is situated in the Marr Area of Aberdeenshire Council, one the Council’s six administrative

areas. Developments at the local level in Huntly are influenced by developments at other levels as

well. At national level many plans and policies are presented, but the potential at local and

community level to realise real (environmental) change is high. Without pretending to be

exhaustive, some policies and documents relevant for the HuSP are given below starting with the

international level and zooming in towards local level.

At international level, two organisations and their activities and publications are of particular

importance: the United Nations Commission for Sustainable Development (UN CSD, 2010) and

the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC, 2010). The UN CSD aims to implement

the plans as agreed at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg in 2002.

The ‘Johannesburg Plan of Implementation (JPOI)’ aims for the integration of the social, economic

and environmental dimensions of sustainable development in policy-making at international,

regional and national levels. The IPCC was established in 1989 by the United Nations Environment

Programme (UNEP) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) to ‘provide the world with

a clear scientific view on the current state of climate change and its potential environmental and

socio-economic consequences’. Its latest major report, ‘Climate Change 2007’, had a significant

impact on national policy making in Scotland and elsewhere in the world. The report made clear

that man-made greenhouse gases are causing a rise in global temperature. Significant reductions

in greenhouse gases are needed to limit the rise in temperature and halt climate change.

http://www.un.org/esa/sustdev/documents/WSSD_POI_PD/English/POIToc.htm

http://www.unep.org/

http://www.unep.org/

http://www.wmo.int/pages/index_en.html

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At national level, the Climate Change Act was passed unanimously by the Scottish

Parliament on June 24, 2009 (Scottish Government, 2010). In this Act, the Scottish Government

has set a 42 per cent greenhouse gas emission reduction target for 2020 and an 80 per cent

reduction target for 2050. This Act aims to inspire a low carbon economy with a focus on energy

saving and renewable energy production.

This focus on energy saving is needed since over one-third of all energy used in Scotland

is for space and water heating (Bruce et al., 2010). Part of the required energy saving can be

realised by better insulation of existing buildings and other energy saving measures. Huntly can

benefit from the Scottish Government’s Home Insulation Scheme (Energy Saving Trust, 2010).

The Marr Area in Aberdeenshire in which Huntly is situated, has been granted to benefit this

scheme since fuel poverty is a particular problem. Due to its extreme temperatures and its

dependency on oil for heating, Marr qualified. New housing developments need to utilise

renewable energy technologies for space and water heating and be insulated to the highest

standards.

Aberdeenshire Council has adopted a renewed Sustainability Charter for the years 2008 –

2012 that was officially launched at Monday 8th September 2008 (Scrutiny and Audit Committee

2007; Aberdeenshire Council, 2010). The Council committed itself to: “… work to ensure all our

actions are sustainable and meet the needs of the current generation of Aberdeenshire’s people

without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

The Aberdeenshire Community Planning Partnership in Marr has developed its own

Community Action Plan 2009-2012 (ACPP, 2010). One of the five priorities is Sustainable

Environment: “Work together to achieve sustainability by reducing resource use, protecting our

environment, combating climate change and enhancing biodiversity.”

2.2.3 Stakeholder analysis

The main stakeholders for the HuSP are

presented in three concentric circles (see

Figure 2). The central stakeholder is the

Huntly Development Trust, the client for this

report. This local development trust has many

partners who they work with. The trust has

two members of staff, 1,75 fte in total: a

development manager and an administration

officer. The trust is governed by the Trust

Board consisting of five members and has

over 200 members.

HDT

Huntly community

The wider world

Figure 2: Stakeholders HuSP.

The middle circle consists of the co-producers at community level in Huntly town & district.

The trust is firmly based in the Huntly community. Depending on specific projects, the trust works

with volunteers and other partners, ranging from (local) government bodies, NGOs, local groups

and businesses. A non-exhaustive list of local and regional stakeholders is given in Table 2.

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Table 2. The middle circle of HDT’s stakeholders.

Public sector Community groups Private businesses

Aberdeenshire Council: elected

members (especially Marr Area

Comm.) & officers

Gordon Schools (Council facility)

Linden Centre (Council facility)

Swimming Pool (Council facility)

Jubilee Hospital

Scott’s Hospital

NHS Grampian

Grampian Police

Huntly Community Council

Huntly & District Tourism

Action Group

Huntly Business Association

Various sports clubs

Deveron Arts

Scottish Sculpture Workshop

Huntly Farmers Market

Huntly Rotary Club

Huntly Mental Health

Association

Dean’s

Rizza’s

Duncan Taylor

Acanthus Architects

Deveron Homes

Grampian Housing

Association

Aberdeen Renewable

Energy Group

The outer circle is the wider world at national and international level as given in Table 3. Again, this

is not an exhaustive list, depending on specific projects other stakeholders can be added.

Table 3. The outer circle of HDT’s stakeholders.

Public sector Non-government Publicly/Privately owned

businesses

Scottish Government

Forestry Commission (also strong

local links)

Scottish National Heritage (also

strong local links)

The European Union and potential

partners for EU projects, e.g.

Finland

The scientific world (RGU,

University of Aberdeen, Macaulay

and others)

Development Trust

Association Scotland

Community Energy Scotland

Energy Saving Scotland

Scottish Cycling

Scottish Water

Scottish and Southern

Energy

2.2.4 In conclusion: Huntly’s needs and limitations

The best-known definition of sustainable development is that of the Brundtland Commission (1987)

“A development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future

generations to meet their own needs." Key concepts in this definition are ‘needs’ and ‘limitations’. It

matches with what the development manager of the Huntly Development Trust stated: focus on

both current and future needs of the Huntly community but these needs are to be met within limited

resources.

To picture Huntly’s needs in terms of sustainability, the trichotomy of sustainable

development is used as given by the UN Division for Sustainable Development formerly known as

the World Commission on Environment and Development or Brundtland Commission (UN/DSD,

2010): social-cultural, economic and environmental issues. Table 4 gives a summarised overview

of the needs as they have come forward from the community consultations for the HDT Business

Plan (Boyd, 2009) and the interviews so far. Some needs address more than one sustainability

http://www.scottish-southern.co.uk/

http://www.scottish-southern.co.uk/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economic_development

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issue, e.g. fuel poverty, but to prevent duplication, they are shown beside the issue they best

represent.

Table 4. Huntly’s needs in terms of sustainability.

Sustainability issue Huntly’s needs

Social-cultural Huntly has a strong sense of community. Based on the success of the Saturday

coffee mornings, the social cohesion and willingness to support local charities is

high. However, a central meeting point is missing. Furthermore, there is a need to

reduce fuel poverty.

Economic The local economy needs an impulse and more specifically the town centre needs

extra attention in attracting and providing new services. The tourism sector could

use extra promotion of the area.

Environmental There are opportunities to raise awareness on a low carbon community, to save

energy, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the risk of flooding, and to

promote re-use and recycling.

The Huntly Development Trust intends to make Huntly a sustainable town, but it needs to be

sustainable as a trust as well. Therefore, the Trust is not only looking for funded projects “to make

the market town of Huntly and its surrounding district a better place to live, work and visit” (HDT,

2010a) but it is looking for sources of income as well. The Sustainability Plan therefore needs to

support HDT funding applications and identify projects with potential to generate an income for the

Trust.

3 Future situation

“Maps can show you where you are. But a good map can also show you where you want to go,

and show you what needs to happen so that you can get there.”

(Mapping for change, 2010)

This Chapter describes the vision for a sustainable Huntly in 2015. It also introduces the

assessment criteria used to evaluate how the proposed project portfolio (described in Chapter 4)

will lead to a more sustainable Huntly.

A vision can be described or visualised in different ways. The vision for a sustainable

Huntly will be given in a descriptive way, the road towards the realisation of the vision will be

provided on a map. This sustainability map for Huntly is one of the outcomes of this project and

can be found in Figure 14.

A vision describes a future situation. It can be situated in the near future or in a far

distance. A vision for 2050 provides the possibility to envisage solutions that still need to be

developed. Technological developments might take a few decades before they can be used for the

benefit of local communities. In this case, because there is such a strong need for the

implementation of technologies that will provide quick results, in particular securing a sustainable

income for the Trust (see conclusion of Chapter 2), the vision for a sustainable Huntly will be

situated in 2015.

On the frontpage of HDT’s promotional flyer (HDT, 2010a) the mission for the trust is given

as “Working with others to build a resilient, inclusive, enterprising community capable of dealing

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with ongoing change.” In this mission, an outlook on a sustainable Huntly is encapsulated. The

trust would like Huntly and District be “a resilient, inclusive, enterprising community capable of

dealing with ongoing change”. Since the development of the Huntly Sustainability Plan is situated

in the ‘environment’ section of HDT’s Business Plan, the vision as given below is limited to a

‘green’ view on Huntly in 2015.

The Brundtland definition of sustainable development (Brundtland Commission, 1987) was

translated by Agyeman et al (2003) emphasising “the need to ensure a better quality of life for all,

now, and into the future, in a just and equitable manner, while living within the limits of supporting

ecosystems’. Since Huntly Development Trust wants to engage the local community and focus on

quality of life (HDT, 2010b), Agyeman’s definition is more suitable for developing the Huntly

Sustainability map. A more recent definition of sustainable development is that of Forum of the

Future (2009): “A dynamic process which enables all people to realise their potential and improve

their quality of life in ways which simultaneously protect and enhance the Earth’s life support

systems.” This definition with its focus on sustainable development being a dynamic process forms

the basis for the vision for a sustainable Huntly.

3.1 Vision for a sustainable Huntly in 2015 “Being away for over 5 years, I have returned to Huntly. Sitting on a wooden bench at the Square

in front of The Huntly Hub, I started chatting with two local people. Huntly has changed indeed and

these two people are speaking about it enthusiastically. Huntly is a market town with a thriving

town centre now. Most people in Huntly are aware of the need to live a more sustainable lifestyle

and support is provided by the Huntly Development Trust to those who want to change their

lifestyle. The community has become even more close-knit and issues like fuel poverty have been

nearly ended. Most people either walk or use their bike for town centre journeys and a delivery

service for the elderly or those in need is provided by ‘basket-bikes’ run by school kids.

New affordable housing developments are built according to carbon or energy neutral

standards using 80% less energy. The remaining 20% of energy demand is provided from

renewable sources. These so-called ‘passive’ houses are occupied by people from within Huntly.

But also young families and elderly people who wanted to move from the country-side to the town,

found a new home in the new developments. Also commuters who are working in Inverurie or

Aberdeen have found a home the newly developed housing areas. These new developments have

save cycle and pedestrian routes to the school, the town centre and the train station.

Located at the heart of the community is the community hub run by the Huntly

Development Trust where local groups meet in a café with Fairtrade coffee and local cakes, where

locally produced foods are exchanged and small businesses targeting niche markets are located.

HDT has its own renewable energy assets (a wind turbine, a hydropower scheme, anaerobic

digester) in providing all the funding for its activities and other town projects. From the hub a

variety of projects are coordinated.

In the past 5 years the percentage of people out of work decreased from 10% to the

Aberdeenshire average of 6%. New employers have settled in both the town centre and the

industrial estate. In the town centre all shop premises are occupied and the Huntly retail sector

provides an interesting mix of shops for both locals and visitors. Fairtrade Status has been

achieved and the discussion has been widened while working towards an ethical trading town.

At the Industrial Estate, the recycling centre has been developed into a ‘Repair & Recycling

Centre Plus’ providing training and jobs in refurbishing and repairing ‘wasted’ goods, providing a

source of income to the Trust as well.

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The Trust started the process of making Huntly the first carbon neutral and zero waste town

in Scotland. These processes required the set up of a partnership between the Trust, the Council,

larger businesses and housing developers and it will take another 5 year till these projects come to

full fruition.

A close co-operation between the Huntly Farmers Market group and HADTAG has led to

Huntly becoming a ‘Slow Town’ showing its engagement will high quality food and the Slow Food

movement. Proud of its heritage, a series of historic and themed walks are available for both locals

and visitors and for those who would like to see the town and its surrounding area on two wheels,

a cycle hire scheme is put into action. Both the walks and the cycle hire scheme are providing an

income to the Trust.”

3.2 Assessment criteria The resources of the Huntly Development Trust, both in time and money, are limited. A

prioritisation of the potential projects to make Huntly more sustainable as developed in the second

phase of the project is needed. To enable this prioritisation, a set of assessment criteria is needed

(workpackage 1.3). These criteria should not be confused with a set of indicators to measure

whether sustainable development is achieved. Such a set needs to be developed separately.

The assessment criteria aim to enable prioritisation of the potential projects. All projects will

be evaluated using these criteria given in Table 5. Each criterion can provide a score between 1

(low score) and 5 (high score). Depending on certain preferences and occasions, some criteria

might be more important than others, e.g. income generation for the Trust versus promoting a

healthy lifestyle. Therefore criteria can be given different weight factors. A preliminary prioritisation

will be done by CUSP, see Chapter 5, but the final prioritisation is the responsibility of the HDT

board.

Table 5. Assessment criteria and scoring table.

Criteria score: 1 2 3 4 5 factor total Social impact for Huntly:

Enabling climate for change

Provoke community excitement, commitment, involvement

The community need to be convinced that it is the right thing to do

Community benefit with quick wins to show visible change towards sust. dev.

Community capacity building

Community ownership

Promoting healthy & sustainable lifestyle

Economic impact for Huntly:

Using empty (shop) premises

Job creation, more people of working age (and older) in work

More people of working age qualified

Bringing money into local economy

Environmental impact for Huntly:

Saving energy

Reduction of greenhouse gases

Less waste & waste water

Number of streets being walking and cycling friendly

Potential for income generation for Trust:

Other:

Innovative, Huntly as an example, showing leadership, inspiring for other market towns

Total score for project

10

4 The roadmap to a sustainable Huntly The second phase of the project consisted of the development of a holistic approach towards a

sustainable development in Huntly. This resulted in a project portfolio of 25 projects.

4.1 Development of the project portfolio The (technological) solutions are available to meet Huntly’s most urgent needs as described in

Chapter 2. The crucial factor however is whether the community will accept these new

(technological) solutions (Rogers, 1995). This acceptance requires change. To enable the required

long-term community engagement in Huntly and enable the required prioritisation of projects,

Kotter’s theory on steps towards change (1996) is used.

First, a climate for change must be created. A Huntly community consultation already

showed the urgency to make a difference. Based on the outcomes, the Huntly Development Trust

was initiated with a clear ambition to realise sustainable development in Huntly and its surrounding

district (LEADER, 2010).

Secondly, community engagement is needed. The community needs a place to meet, to

work on projects and receive training for further (personal) development. The community needs a

place to identify itself with. Crucial for community engagement is to create quick wins to show a

visible change towards sustainable development.

Thirdly, long-term commitment is required. The Huntly Development Trust needs structural

sources of income to ensure its own sustainable organisation and to enable a sustainable

development of the Huntly community. Sources of income can be found in the development of

renewable energy and providing services to the community.

The concept behind the variety of projects in the project portfolio is based on the path towards

sustainable development, a programme of change. For each sustainability theme:

people first need to be aware of the issue so, where applicable, awareness raising project(s)

form the start;

secondly, environmental saving project(s) ‘using less’ form the second step;

thirdly, sustainable ‘producing’ project(s);

and fourthly future developments ‘using better’;

or, as the least favourite option, you sometimes need ‘usage offset’ (offset & storage).

Some of the proposed projects are combinations of these conceptual steps.

The themes for the roadmap to a sustainable Huntly are

community

energy

water

waste

transport

food

housing

economy

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4.2 Project description format In this chapter, the short project descriptions are given. Full descriptions for each of the projects

are given in Appendix IV. To allow an assessment and comparison of the different projects, all

projects are described in the same format. This format is based on the expected outcomes of the

project (Chapter 2) and the assessment criteria (Chapter 3). Table 6 gives the format for this

description plus, at the bottom, the scoring table that will be used in the next phase, the evaluation

phase with the assessment of the project portfolio.

Table 6. Project description format.

No.: Theme: Name:

Short description: Location(s) on the Huntly map:

Links with other projects: Example case studies:

Potential project owner:

Potential project partner(s):

Project requirements:

Income generator for HDT: Possible funding options:

Timescale for results: quick win: medium term (1-5 years): long term (5+ years):

Indication of how these projects benefit the different sustainability themes:

Social impact: Economic impact: Environmental impact:

Assessment criteria Score: 1 2 3 4 5 factor score Social impact for Huntly

Economic impact for Huntly

Environmental impact for Huntly

Securing Trust existence

Other (being innovative)

Total score for project

12

4.3 The 25 projects described Before each project is described, first an overview of the 25 projects given in Table 7.

Table 7: Project portfolio for a sustainable Huntly.

No Theme Potential project

1. Community Central hub

2. Energy Energy aware

3. Energy Energy saving campaign (HIS)

4. Energy Generate wind power

5. Energy Generate hydro power

6. Energy Generate biogas power

7. Energy Generate solar power

8. Energy Generate biomass power

9. Energy Huntly carbon neutral

10. Water Water aware & saving campaign

11. Waste Waste aware

12. Waste Repair & recycle centre

13. Waste Community composting

14. Waste Huntly zero waste

15. Transport Promote walking

16. Transport Promote cycling

17. Transport Promote public transport

18. Transport Promote car sharing

19. Transport Delivery service

20. Food Promote local food

21. Food Promote ethical trading

22. Food Edible green

23. Housing Future real estate development

24. Economy Promote sustainable tourism

25. Economy Promote sustainable retail

Extensive descriptions are given in Appendix IV. The list with References also provides the

websites with example case-studies and extra information.

1. Community hub

A more sustainable Huntly depends on strong community commitment. This commitment can be

realised when the Trust establishes a close link between the community - groups and individuals -

and its own activities. One of the big success factors for the Aberdeenshire Towns Partnership in

Huntly was its role as ‘town coordinator’. A central Hub enables this link and provides the platform

to fulfil the role of town coordinator once again. The hub ideally is located in the centre of town with

meeting facilities, an (internet) café and small business units to generate an income for the Trust

as well.

The (feasibility study into the) establishment of a Huntly Hub has been mentioned in the Huntly

Development Trust Business Plan (EC1, S5, EC2). Links were made to other project ideas such as

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the establishment of a George MacDonald Heritage Centre (C1) and the sale of local produce and

Huntly merchandise (EC3).

The hub can be a multifunctional showcase of sustainable architecture in a conservation area for

products and services related to Huntly and District and its heritage. This project will lead to a

strengthened town centre with the Hub as an important magnet both for locals and visitors. Local

employment can be retained.

2. Energy aware

A sustainable use of energy starts with being aware of the issues of (non) sustainable use of

energy. This is an ideal start for community engagement, both at group and individual level.

HDT can give energy awareness training in co-operation

with SCARF, Community Energy Scotland (CES) and Energy

Saving Trust (EST). Issues to cover could be heating,

preventing heat loss, need for ventilation, lifestyle and

housekeeping.

The next step is to start an Energy Information Centre

providing services such as audits, scans, advice on

insulation and energy saving (see BeGreen Energy Advice,

Sustaining Dunbar, 2010). This Energy Information Centre

can be based at the Huntly Hub (project no 1).

Simple tools such as an ‘Energy Waste Check’, ‘Lighting

Check’, ‘Heating Check’ and ‘Appliances Check’ (Dutch

example www.nuonenergiebesparen.nl) may help Huntly

people to save energy and money. Those tools can be

provided by HDT. See also the Shared Energy Toolkit.

Figure 3. Example of energy

information centre: BeGreen

(Sustaining Dunbar, 2010).

3. Energy saving campaign

Promote energy saving in co-operation with Save Cash Reduce Fuel (SCARF) using the Home

Insulation Scheme (HIS) of the Scottish Government.

SCARF aims to complete energy surveys in Huntly and to signpost people onto various subsidised

or free schemes to lower the cost of heating their homes. An insulation installer has been

contracted to provide both Roof and Cavity Wall insulation at a subsidised cost.

HDT can help SCARF by spreading the word of this scheme in Huntly. Invite SCARF along to

community events or link them to community groups and promote the project in Huntly by word or

mouth or by displaying promotional materials.

HDT might be able to contract local insulation installer(s) or have them trained to do the local work.

The Huntly Hub could be a showcase of new insulation techniques such as green roofs with

succulents (sedum), moss and herbs. These roofs not only insulate, they also filter the air, capture

CO2 (see also http://www.greenroofs.com/).

14

Figure 4. Green roof Bijenberg, Barneveld Figure 5. Green roof Delft University Library,

NL, slope 35% (Green Roofs, 2010) Delft NL,slope 15% (Green Roofs, 2010)

4. Generate wind power

As a means to generate income for the Trust, HDT could develop one or more community wind

turbines. These would be community-owned assets. The generated green electricity provides an

income for the Trust via the Feed-In Tariff scheme. The scheme guarantees a minimum payment

for all electricity generated by the system (generation tariff), as well as a separate payment for the

electricity exported to grid (export tariff).

The Trust has commissioned a feasibility study into the addition of community wind turbine(s) to

existing wind farms near Huntly.

5. Generate hydro power

Historically, the river Bogie provided hydro-power already in the 19th century. At least 7 water-

powered installations were identified (Nixon 1871). Since the head of the river Bogie is limited,

Francis, Kaplan, cross-flow or reverse Archimedean screw turbines are most likely to be used,

where the later is the most likely to be successful. If more sites are feasible, different technologies

can be chosen to make Huntly Hydro a showcase.

July 2007 Sept. 2008 Figure 6. Example of community micro-hydro before and after the installation of the turbines (Torrs Hydro, 2010).

The generated green electricity provides an income for the Trust via the Feed-In Tariff scheme.

The scheme guarantees a minimum payment for all electricity generated by the system

(generation tariff), as well as a separate payment for the electricity exported to grid (export tariff).

Development at or near historical sites not only makes planning permission more likely, it opens

opportunities for the Trust to develop spin-off tourism and heritage projects as well.

The Trust has commissioned a feasibility study into one or more Huntly Community Hydro

Project(s).

15

6. Generate biogas power

At the site of the waste-water treatment plant

beside the River Bogie and the Golf Course, an

anaerobic digester can be placed to produce a

methane and carbon dioxide rich biogas from

human waste. This biogas can be used in a

biogas engine to generate electricity; waste heat

from the engine can be used to heat the digester.

The generated green electricity (‘sewage gas’ or

‘poo power’) provides an income for the Trust via

the Feed-In Tariff scheme. The scheme

guarantees a minimum payment for all electricity

generated by the system (generation tariff), as

well as a separate payment for the electricity

exported to grid (export tariff).

Figure 7. Didcot sewage works in Oxfordshire is now

producing biomethane from human waste for injection

into the gas grid (Didcot, 2010).

7. Generate solar power

HDT puts up photovoltaic panels as a solar plant on an empty plot in the industrial estate or at the

roof of the Recycling & Repair centre (see project 9) at the existing site of the Household Waste &

Recycling Centre (its roof already south facing) at the industrial estate. A 2nd solar project can be

set up on the roofs of new housing developments.

The generated green electricity provides an

income for the Trust via the Feed-In Tariff

scheme. The scheme guarantees a minimum

payment for all electricity generated by the

system (generation tariff), as well as a separate

payment for the electricity exported to grid (export

tariff).

Solar can complement hydro-power, since in

winter times water flow and thus hydro power is

at its highest when solar power is at a minimum.

Figure 8. Example of solar plant on roof of distribution

centre (Willebroek, 2010).

8. Generate biomass (wood) power

Since Huntly is surrounded by woodland, using wood as fuel is worth exploring. Possible projects

could be heating for Scott’s Hospital and a combination of the Gordon Schools, the Linden Centre

and the Swimming Pool (Aberdeenshire Council). In-depth preparations are essential before a

wood-fuel project can be started, (pre) feasibility studies are needed in close co-operation with

above mentioned partners. The Forestry Commission Scotland has prepared a seven stage

woodfuel checklist (see website ‘The essentials’), and it would be worth HDT going through this

checklist before starting the project.

9. Huntly carbon neutral

Huntly can embark on a journey towards a low carbon lifestyle. By making Huntly carbon neutral,

HDT can bring the community together in an inspiring project to lower its carbon footprint, tackle

climate change and set an example in the Northeast of Scotland. Reducing the town’s carbon

footprint requires a set of sub-projects.

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A first start is ‘footprinting the community’ (see for example Ashton Hayes, Carbon Earth). To

lower Huntly and District's ecological footprint, a local CO2 offset scheme (mentioned in HDT

Business Plan EN2) can be set up. Local individuals, organisations and business are offered the

opportunity to compensate for environmental costs associated with their lifestyle or operations.

They contribute to a fund, the proceeds of which will be spent on environmental improvement

projects in Huntly and District by HDT or other organisations, e.g. biochar, tree-planting,

renewable energy or other environmental improvement activities.

10. Water aware & saving campaign

Twenty percent of household CO2 emissions result from using water in the house. Compared to

mainland Europe, the UK has less drinking water available per person (WaterWise, 2010). There is

no shortage of water in Huntly but the waste of water could be reduced leading to not only a saving

in costs for water but for energy as well. About one third of our water runs through the plughole or

is being flushed without being used, e.g. when the tab runs while brushing teeth.

Making people aware of their water use and providing them with water saving tips will help save

water and energy and thus reduce greenhouse gases. Examples of water saving tips are: install

water efficient shower head and WC water saving device, use dish washer and washing machines

only with full load, use a bowl to wash up instead of running hot tap, only boil the amount of water

you need, rainwater collection, grey water systems and compost toilets.

Parallel to the ‘Energy Aware’ project (No 2), HDT can give water awareness workshops and

deliver water services in co-operation with the Energy Saving Trust and WaterWise. This

Energy/Water Information Centre can be based at the Huntly Hub (project No 1).

11. Waste aware

Waste means losing valuable resources, and, if sent to landfill, it releases methane and thus

contributes to climate change. Replacing things also results in more use of energy and other

natural resources. Prevention of waste starts with awareness and in close co-operation with

Aberdeenshire Council, the Trust can help to make the community more aware of waste issues

and realise waste reduction. This has financial benefits for Aberdeenshire Council as they are

charged a penalty for every tonne of waste sent to landfill.

The Trust can play an important role in helping

Aberdeenshire Council and the Scottish Government with

their campaigns where possible. The Council’s current

campaign ‘Room to Waste’ could be repeated in Huntly, e.g.

a humorous combination of the Huntly motto ‘Room to Roam’

with the Council’s waste campaign motto ‘Room to Waste’.

Another initiative for the Trust can be supporting Huntly

people in setting up ‘eco teams’ to reduce household waste,

save energy and spend less on household bills.

As an organisation, the Trust should focus on its own

reduction of waste where possible, e.g. reduction of paper

use in the office, reuse and recycle waste and use of

renewable energy, and be an example to the Huntly

community.

Figure 9. Reduce, reuse, recycle

(Waste Aware Scotland, 2010)

17

Figure 10. ‘Room to Recycle’ campaign by the Aberdeenshire Council: The Bathroom, The Bedroom, The Living

Room and The Kitchen (Waste Aware Aberdeenshire, 2010).

12. Repair & recycle centre

To prevent landfill with unwanted and broken goods, a Repair & Recycle Centre can be

established at the industrial estate. This centre will provide a repair service and small scale

processing of recyclates to add value and/or reduce transport costs. It also provides training and

jobs for a variety of new employees.

People of Huntly and district can bring their broken goods to the Centre. They can have them

repaired for themselves or they can leave their unwanted goods, which, after being

repaired/refurbished, will be sold in a ‘second hand’ shop on the same site. Some of the recycled

materials could potentially be sold (locally) to create an income stream

In the HDT Business Plan, running a bicycle refurbishment shop was mentioned (S4). This

bicycle repair scheme could be part of the activities in the repair centre. In this case, a link can be

made with ‘promote cycling’ (project no.16).

A combination can be made with project no. 7 by putting PV panels on the roof of the south-facing

Centre.

13. Community composting

An effective way of reducing landfill by household waste is composting organic waste. Promoting

community composting in Huntly can be focused on three levels: small scale or home

composting (Aberdeenshire Council provides discounts on green cones and promotes the

discounts Scottish Government is giving on composting bins), medium scale composting at the

existing and new developed allotments and larger scale at the industrial estate.

18

The latter could be run by HDT. For community composting at town level, the Community

Composting Network (CCN) is developing micro anaerobic digestion (AD) units for

decentralised, on-site treatment of waste and production of fertilizer and energy. A small-scale

working AD system was exhibited during the second CCN micro Anaerobic Digestion Event, held

at the Centre for Alternative Technology on Saturday 10th July 2010.

14. Huntly zero waste

The Scottish Government aims for ‘zero waste’ in 2025. Huntly could aim to be the first Scottish

town to be ‘zero waste’ and prevent waste from ending up in landfill. This requires a transformation

from a waste management economy to one based on resource management.

This project requires the implementation of an integrated ‘zero waste plan’ for Huntly with full

involvement of the whole community: households, businesses and other organisations. All ‘waste’

projects (project no. 11, 12 and 13) need to be implemented and extra projects need to be

developed. Examples will vary from a real nappy washing scheme with a cargo bike for clean/dirty

nappies for young families, to the implementation of the cradle-to-cradle concept for all (new)

developments in Huntly. In the Japanese village of Kamikatsu, a zero waste policy has led to 98

per cent of the population of 2,000 using home composting, and to recycling rates of 80 per cent –

with waste sorted into 34 different recycling categories.

15. Promote walking

To make locals and visitors aware of the (non) sustainability issues of transport and to promote

sustainable transport modes, the Trust is promoting walking in and around Huntly (Business Plan

theme 5.3).

Specific actions have been identified in the Huntly Traffic Management Review. Special attention

will be needed to enable children to walk safely to and from the Schools and for locals as well as

visitors who are shopping in the town centre.

Walking in Huntly is not only a means to go from A to B. Walking for pleasure is a popular leisure

activity in and around Huntly at all times of year. Various recent studies have identified that Huntly

is a potentially excellent base for walking holidays into the wider hinterland as proven by the

securing of Walkers are Welcome status for Huntly.

To further promote Huntly as a walking destination, improvements to infrastructure e.g. bridges,

paths, signposts & interpretation boards, are needed. The Trust can support the Huntly And District

Town Action Group (HADTAG) in working on these improvements. The recently started

‘walkshops’ to develop new walks accompanied by appropriate maps and information booklets will

be instrumental to make Huntly a ‘walking paradise’ and they can be presented during the second

Huntly Walking Festival in April 2011.

16. Promote cycling


sustainable transport modes, the Trust is promoting cycling in and around Huntly (Business Plan

theme 5.1/2). More and more people are using a bike to go around town. Huntly can become a

regional cycling centre when the Trust is able to establish a BMX/cycling course.

HDT has commissioned a feasibility study into development of a cycling centre in the Meadows.

This project seeks to build on the facilities at Huntly Nordic & Outdoor Centre and the fact that land

neighbouring HNOC, zoned for housing, can no longer be developed due to flood risk. In addition,

Huntly & District offers diverse cycling opportunities: short, relatively flat road circuits, longer more

19

hilly outings e.g. into the Cairngorms National Park and off-road forest tracks in the immediate

vicinity.

Figure 11. Redbridge Cycling Centre Track Options (Redbridge Cycling Centre, 2010)

17. Promote public transport


sustainable transport modes, the Trust facilitates the promotion of using of public transport

travelling in, out and around Huntly. The promotion itself is done by the Aberdeenshire Council,

such as leaflets on dial-a-bus for Huntly. HDT could offer public transport information on

www.huntly.net.

18. Promote car sharing


sustainable transport modes, the Trust facilitates the promotion of car sharing in Huntly and

intends to establish a car club scheme as mentioned in the Business Plan (EC6).

Before such a scheme can be established it is advised to explore the potentials for such a car club.

Transport Scotland has offered to provide assistance in the development of a local car club via

Carplus, a registered charity experienced in this field.

A car club for Huntly intends to provide an alternative means of transport for people who do not

want to own a car but who still require access to a private vehicle from time to time. Users book the

vehicle for their required period, gain access to it through a unique code and return it when they

are finished. Bookings could be offered via www.huntly.net, the Huntly Hub and over the phone.

19. Delivery service

Huntly has an aging population with an increasing need to

have their shopping brought to their homes. At the same time,

short distance transport miles are causing relatively highest

emissions of greenhouse gases. A ‘town cargo bike’ project

can benefit both people in need of transporting their goods as

well as the reduction of greenhouse gases. The Royal Mail is

sourcing out their Mail Bikes. They (or comparable bikes) can

be (re)used by the Trust to organise a delivery services for

Figure 12. Royal Mail Bike

20

elderly people or people otherwise limited in their moving around in Huntly in delivering their

shopping or delivering any other services, e.g. bringing mail to the mailbox at the Square

20. Promote local food

To make locals and visitors aware of the (non) sustainability issues of food and food miles, the

Trust will support locals who are involved in local food production and promotion. This support will

focus on the Huntly Farmers Market group and their activities. The Huntly Farmers Market is a

successful monthly event, as well as the regular Tin Hut Supper and annual Huntly Hairst Food

and Farming Festival.

An important international movement for promoting local food and food biodiversity is the Slow

Food Movement. There is already an Aberdeenshire Slow Food convivium. The next step could be

making Huntly a Slow Food Town. It is worth exploring the opportunities of becoming a Slow Food

Town and what the positive economic impact of doing so could be for Huntly.

21. Promote ethical trading

In doing their daily shopping, people encounter many ethical choices. What is better, local produce

or Fairtrade or organic? What about food miles? The Huntly Ethical Trading Initiative aims to

support local households, businesses and organisations to increase their awareness of ethical

trading and make informed purchase choices. Secondly, the group aims to increase the availability

of ethically traded products and services. The first milestone of the group was to achieve Fairtrade

Status for Huntly. This was awarded on the 26th October 2010.

The Trust should maintain support for this initiative and develop its own ethical purchasing policy.

22. Edible green

A town needs to be able to breathe. The lungs of a town are its

gardens, parks and public green landscaping. Trees in the

street provide literally a lively street life. However, public green

needs to be maintained and in times of tight public budgets,

public green space is often removed. Community initiatives

take over, like the flower tubs in the Square in Huntly by the

Huntly Floral Fund.

In Huntly there is room for more community initiatives (HDT

Business Plan S3/EN1). The Huntly Mental Health Association

has been looking into the possibilities of a community garden.

A good example is the GREAN Community Garden where the

bedding plants for the flower tubs are grown during the spring.

During the rest of the year, the polytunnels are used by groups

of children to grow tomato and other salad fruits.

Other public/community owned green areas could show other

plants and shrubs like rosehips (to make Handmade Huntly

Jam) and plums or apples in community orchards.

Figure 13. Fruit trees in the streets of

Ronda, Spain.

23. Future property development

In the Aberdeenshire local development plan, future housing development is proposed on the east

side of Huntly (northwest of Battlehill Wood (up to 630 houses) and at the east entrance of Huntly

from the A96, up to 50 houses in total). According to the plan, 50% of these developments need to

21

be affordable housing. The Trust can take the initiative to ensure the use of renewable energy

technologies and the highest standards of insulation (‘passive house’ with annual heating cost of

appr. £100, see Housing Expo, 2010).

Based on the interest for the Housing Expo 2010, Huntly could host the next Housing Expo, e.g. on

the south-facing hill side of Battlehill Wood (site H2 at the local development plan), ideal for

passive energy housing design and attractive, easy accessible site for visitors.

To make use of waste streams at the Industrial Estate, e.g. heat, materials, a feasibility study could

be made to explore the possibilities of connecting resource streams thus saving energy and

money. Development of a solar plant, a wood chip boiler/combined heat & power plant and the

repair & recycle centre (project no. 7, 8 and 12) should be part of that holistic plan for the future

developments at the Industrial Estate.

24. Promote sustainable tourism

“Making Huntly a better place to live, work and visit” implies that HDT wants to work on the

promotion of tourism as well. In close co-operation with HADTAG, the HDT can help to promote

Huntly as an attractive place to visit.

This promotion of tourism consists of a variety of projects to attract different types of visitors. A

permanent, year round tourist information centre should be realised. Furthermore, walking tours

(project no. 5 and 15) and cycling routes (project no. 16) can be developed with different themes,

such as local heroes (George MacDonald, James Legge, Ronald Center), historic fame (the

Gordons, textile industry) and leisure. Also local food producers can be supported in promoting

their quality produce in developing Slow Strathbogie for example.

25. Promote sustainable retail

Huntly used to be known for its flourishing retail sector. Over the last years, more and more shops

closed their doors and left empty premises. Some of them occupied by niche business, such as the

millinery shop and the Fairtrade shop, but some left still empty. The Huntly Rewards loyalty

scheme is still active as it enters its third year.

However, more action is required if Huntly is to retain an interesting retail offer in the town centre.

This was a priority issue in the recent community consultation on ‘what next after ATP?’.

A feasibility study is needed to explore what is needed to attract more (niche) businesses to the

town centre and to explore options for offering support to potential or embryonic Huntly retail

businesses. A combination can be made with the development of the Huntly Hub (project no 1).

Some towns have developed their own local currency to boost local economy, e.g. the Lewes

pound. More research is needed to assess whether this will indeed stimulate the local economy.

Links can be made with Finland, Juankoski, who are interested in a similar development.

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4.4 The sustainability projects on the Huntly map

1. Central hub 14. Huntly zero waste (over the whole of Huntly)

2. Energy aware (see No 1) 15. Promote walking (over the whole of Huntly)

3. Energy saving campaign (HIS) 16. Promote cycling

4. Generate wind power 17. Promote public transport (the whole of Huntly)

5. Generate hydro power 18. Promote car sharing (over the whole of Huntly)

6. Generate biogas power 19. Delivery service (over the whole of Huntly)

7. Generate solar power 20. Promote local food

8. Generate biomass power 21. Promote ethical trading (whole of Huntly)

9. Huntly carbon neutral (over the whole of Huntly) 22. Edible green

10. Water aware & saving campaign (see No 1) 23. Future real estate development

11. Waste aware (see No 1) 24. Promote sustainable tourism (whole of Huntly)

12. Repair & recycle centre 25. Promote sustainable retail

13. Community composting

Figure 14. The Huntly sustainability map.

7 3

3

3

3

3

5

6

5

5

5

5

5

12 15

20

24 3

1

4

8

13

25

8

16

22

22

22 8

22 22

23

23

23

23

23

5 Qualitative assessment of project portfolio

The projects of the Huntly sustainability project portfolio described in Chapter 4 have been

assessed using the criteria given in Chapter 3. Appendix IV gives all the project descriptions plus

the scoring of the projects. Table 8 gives a summary of the scoring.

Table 8. Scoring of all projects.

The assessment of the project portfolio is further detailed by giving different weight factors to the

criteria enabling different comparisons on the scoring of the projects. First, the criteria have been

given the same weight factor and thus all projects are assessed on the basis of all criteria in an

equal matter. Further assessments are made giving different weight factors to the criteria. First

zooming in to the sustainability aspects, followed by the potential income generation for the Trust,

the timescale for implementation and finally the interconnections between the different proposed

projects.

5.1 Projects compared: all criteria The first assessment summarised in Table 9 gives the qualitative assessment for all projects

based on all criteria with an equal weight factor.

No Theme Proposed project total

score f actor score f actor score f actor score f actor score f actor

1. Community Central hub 5 1 4 1 4 1 3 1 5 1 21

2. Energy Energy aware 3 1 2 1 3 1 2 1 3 1 13

3. Energy Energy sav ing campaign (HIS) 3 1 2 1 5 1 1 1 2 1 13

4. Energy Generate wind power 1 1 1 1 5 1 5 1 2 1 14

5. Energy Generate hy dro power 4 1 2 1 5 1 5 1 3 1 19

6. Energy Generate biogas power 1 1 2 1 5 1 4 1 4 1 16

7. Energy Generate solar power 1 1 2 1 5 1 5 1 3 1 16

8. Energy Generate biomass power 4 1 1 1 5 1 1 1 3 1 14

9. Energy Huntly carbon neutral 4 1 3 1 5 1 3 1 5 1 20

10. Water Water aware & sav ing campaign 3 1 2 1 4 1 2 1 3 1 14

11. Waste Waste aware 3 1 1 1 4 1 1 1 3 1 12

12. Waste Repair & recy cle centre 4 1 4 1 5 1 3 1 4 1 20

13. Waste Community composting 3 1 2 1 5 1 1 1 3 1 14

14. Waste Huntly zero waste 4 1 3 1 5 1 2 1 5 1 19

15. Transport Promote walking 4 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 16

16. Transport Promote cy cling 4 1 4 1 4 1 3 1 5 1 20

17. Transport Promote public transport 3 1 3 1 3 1 1 1 1 1 11

18. Transport Promote car sharing 3 1 2 1 3 1 2 1 3 1 13

19. Transport Deliv ery serv ice 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 15

20. Food Promote local f ood 3 1 3 1 3 1 1 1 3 1 13

21. Food Promote ethical trading 3 1 3 1 3 1 1 1 4 1 14

22. Food Edible green 4 1 3 1 4 1 1 1 4 1 16

23. Housing Future real estate dev elopment 4 1 4 1 4 1 1 1 4 1 17

24. Economy Promote sustainable tourism 5 1 3 1 3 1 1 1 4 1 16

25. Economy Promote sustainable retail 3 1 3 1 3 1 1 1 4 1 14

social/cultural economic ecological income Trust other

24

Table 9. Projects compared – all aspects equally.

5.2 Projects compared: sustainability aspects Since this report provides Huntly with a sustainability plan, the second assessment zooms in on

the three sustainability aspects. Firstly, all these three aspects have been given the same weight

factor, the other two criteria – income generation for the Trust and other aspects – have been left

out, in other words, they have been given a weight factor zero, followed by an assessment for each

of the different sustainability aspects individually.




























othersocial/cultural economic ecological income Trust

25

Table 10. Projects compared – the three sustainability aspects.

Table 11. Projects compared – social-cultural impact on Huntly.

























































26

Table 12. Projects compared – economic impact on Huntly.

Table 13. Projects compared – ecological impact on Huntly.

























































27

5.3 Projects compared: generating income for HDT

Table 14. Projects compared – potential income generation for HDT.

5.4 Projects compared: time scale

Table 15. Projects compared – time scales.

No Theme Possible project Time scale short term medium term long term

3. Energy Energy saving campaign (HIS) X

17. Transport Promote public transport X

19. Transport Delivery service X

24. Economy Promote sustainable tourism X

2. Energy Energy aware X X

4. Energy Generate wind power X X

5. Energy Generate hydro power X X

10. Water Water aware & saving campaign X X

11. Waste Waste aware X X

13. Waste Community composting X X

15. Transport Promote walking X X

16. Transport Promote cycling X X

18. Transport Promote car sharing X X

20. Food Promote local food X X

21. Food Promote ethical trading X X

22. Food Edible green X X

25. Economy Promote sustainable retail X X

1. Community Central hub X

7. Energy Generate solar power X

8. Energy Generate biomass power X

12. Waste Repair & recycle centre X

9. Energy Huntly carbon neutral X X

23. Housing Future real estate development X X

6. Energy Generate biogas power X

14. Waste Huntly zero waste X





























28

5.5 Projects compared: interconnections

No Theme Possible project Links with other projects

1. Community Central hub 2, 9, 10, 11, 14, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25

2. Energy Energy aware 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 23

3. Energy Energy saving campaign 2, 9, 23

4. Energy Generate wind power 2, 9

5. Energy Generate hydro power 2, 9, 24

6. Energy Generate biogas power 2, 9, 10

7. Energy Generate solar power 2, 5, 9, 12

8. Energy Generate biomass power 2, 9

9. Energy Huntly carbon neutral 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 23

10. Water Water aware & saving 1, 6, 23

11. Waste Waste aware 1, 12, 13, 14, 23

12. Waste Repair & recycle centre 7, 11, 13, 14, 16, 19

13. Waste Community composting 11, 12, 14, 22

14. Waste Huntly zero waste 1, 9, 11, 12, 13, 23

15. Transport Promote walking 1, 9, 23, 24

16. Transport Promote cycling 1, 9, 12, 23, 24

17. Transport Promote public transport 1, 9, 23, 24

18. Transport Promote car sharing 1, 9, 23

19. Transport Delivery service 1, 12, 20, 21, 25

20. Food Promote local food 1, 19, 22, 24, 25

21. Food Promote ethical trading 1, 19, 22, 24, 25

22. Food Edible green 1, 13, 20, 21, 23

23. Housing Future real estate development 1, 2, 3, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 22

24. Economy Promote sustainable tourism 1, 5, 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, 25

25. Economy Promote sustainable retail 1, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24

Figure 15. Projects compared – interconnections.

29

6 Closing remarks

6.1 Conclusions The project started with the following assignment: Develop a Huntly Sustainability Plan (HuSP) on

how Huntly can be more sustainable and describe what role the Huntly Development Trust (HDT)

and others can play to make this happen.

Based on the assessment in the previous Chapter, the following conclusions can be synthesised:

1. There is not one solution to make Huntly more sustainable: a holistic portfolio of projects is

needed. Different aspects of a sustainable Huntly are realised by different projects spread over

different parts of the town as can be seen on the Huntly Sustainability Map.

2. There is not an instant solution: a variety of projects coming to fruition in different time scales is

needed. A sustainable Huntly is a town that is continuously in development. Sustainable

development is not an end-station, it is a process and the portfolio provides a few quick wins to

show the first stages of progress of this development as well as projects that require more time

to come to fruition.

3. These projects are all interconnected with the hub literally in the middle. The Hub forms the

heart of sustainable Huntly and the other 24 projects form concentric circles around the hub

and the various sustainability themes.

4. These projects will strengthen each other and improve their contribution towards a sustainable

Huntly.

5. A different perspective or focus will lead to a different prioritisation of projects. Using different

weighting factors showed different outcomes. Table 16 provides a summary of the three main

perspectives.

6. Community commitment and involvement is crucial. Many of the projects require the support

from the local people. By letting the people of Huntly become involved and share (part of) the

responsibility, they will be more willing to give their support.

7. The role of the Trust is mainly that of coordinator, sometimes as initiator/project manager,

sometimes as partner. Other stakeholders are involved either as partner or, in a few occasions,

as project leader where the Trust is only the (local) partner.

8. Huntly can be an example for other market towns by choosing the integrated, holistic approach

as provided in the project portfolio.

Table 16. Summary of assessment outcomes.

All aspects Sustainability aspects Income generation for Trust

1. hub 21 9. carbon neutral 20 12. repair & recycle 20 16. cycling 16 5. hydro 19 14. zero waste 19

1. hub 13 12. repair & recycle 13 9. carbon neutral 12 14. zero waste 12 16. cycling 12 23. real estate develop. 12

4. wind 5 5. hydro 5 7. solar 5 6. waste water treatment 4

30

6.2 Recommendations To support HDT and its board in setting priorities and the decision-making process, the following

recommendations are provided:

A. At the moment, securing HDT’s future is priority number one for the board. We recommend that

the Trust starts with a focus purely on the potential of income generating projects (far right

column in Table 16). Since several feasibility studies are on their way, the Trust need to act on

their outcomes to see what project will bring the required security of income for the Trust.

B. Once the future of HDT is safeguarded, the focus can be shifted towards the sustainability

issues as preliminary prioritised in the middle column in Table 16. To enable the change in

behaviour in the town of Huntly (see § 4.1), we therefore recommend the following

prioritisation. This prioritisation by CUSP intends to start the discussion, firstly among the HDT

board members and secondly with the community (see also the last recommendation):

I. We recommend that the Trust is based at a recognisable location in the Town at the

Huntly Hub where the Trust can engage with the community, where the community can

meet and where the Trust can pick up again the role of ‘town coordinator’ as

established during the period of ATP.

II. This town coordinator role means that the Trust provides a platform for coordination of

activities within Huntly. Besides the board who is governing the Trust from a distance

and steering the direction of development, we recommend the establishment of an

Advisory Platform that meets once a quarter where stakeholders active in Huntly meet

to discuss activities that might influence what others are doing and enable cross-

strengthening of activities, e.g. Aberdeenshire Council, HBA, HADTAG, Deveron Arts,

Sports Association, Huntly Farmers Market, Rotary.

III. We recommended to start with the realisation of a couple of quick wins to show to the

community that the Trust started to work towards a sustainable development (see

Table 15). These quick wins, although not scoring in the top 6 of sustainability issues

(Table 16), can be done by the Trust (project 24 sustainable tourism and project 19

delivery service), or the Trust can support others to deliver the quick wins (project 3

SCARF who is working on HIS and project 17 Aberdeenshire Council to promote public

transport.)

IV. We recommend to start parallel to the quick wins with the realisation of the mid-term

projects: project 12 Repair & recycling and project 16 cycling track.

V. And finally, we recommend HDT to form working groups with both local stakeholders

and experts to start the discussions for the longer term projects: project 9 carbon

neutral and project 14 zero waste.

C. The board can be supported in their own prioritisation when they perform the exercise of filling

out a matrix of low/high input versus low/high output. The level of input is roughly given in the

project descriptions, the judgment whether the output is perceived as high or low is up for

discussion among the board members.

D. Finally, we strongly recommend to provide feedback to the community and other stakeholders

on this sustainability plan by producing a ‘popular version’ and organise a community meeting

where the public can tell themselves what they are missing, how they would prioritise the

activities and who would like to become involved. If the HDT board decides to have a popular

version of this report, it is advised to have a foreword by HDT. In that situation,

acknowledgements and logos of HDT funders need to be added as well.

31

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Home/Home-Insulation-Scheme (accessed: 22 August 2010).

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Energy Waste Check (Dutch example): www.nuonenergiebesparen.nl

32

Fairtrade Towns: http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/

Findhorn: http://www.findhorn.org/

Forestry Commission Huntly:

http://www.usewoodfuel.co.uk/Docs/FC%20Huntly%20case%20study.pdf

Forestry Commission Scotland / Wood Fuel: http://www.usewoodfuel.co.uk/CaseStudies.stm

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GREAN: http://www.grean.co.uk/

Green roofs: http://www.greenroofs.com/projects/plist.php

Haslemere Rewards: http://www.haslemere.com/rewards/index.php

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August 2010).

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naar-station

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33

Perth Cittaslow:

http://www.pkc.gov.uk/Promoting+Perth+and+Kinross/Cittaslow/Perth+and+Kinross+Ci

ttaslow/

Redbridge Cycling Centre: http://www.hoghill.co.uk/

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SCARF Save CAsh Reduce Fuel http://www.scarf.org.uk/

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34

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_1_dak/

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35

Appendices

I. Statistical data for Huntly

Huntly is split up in five zones. Data are given per zone. The totals for Huntly have been

summarised in the table on the next page.

Data zone: Location in Huntly:

S01000461 Centre

S01000459 Northeast incl Battle Hill & Area behind train station

S01000457 Southeast

S01000460 Southwest

S01000462 Northwest

36

Statistical data for Huntly

http://www.sns.gov.uk/ accessed: 03/09/2010

title Quick Profile

report for Data Zone S01000461

Quick Profile report for Data Zone S01000459




HUNTLY TOWN

Scottish Parliamentary Constituency: Gordon

Local Authority: Aberdeen-shire

Scotland

Population

Total Population: 2009 789 996 825 751 998 4,359 86872 243510 5194000

Total Population Aged 16-19: 2009 33 53 43 35 59 223 4005 11967 264187

Total Population - Children (%): 2009 15.72 14.36 11.52 19.84 16.63 16 19.45 19.09 17.57

Total Population - Working Age (%): 2009 58.43 57.83 53.45 53.79 58.02 56 61.75 61.48 62.55

Total Population - Pensionable Age (%): 2009 25.86 27.81 35.03 26.36 25.35 28 18.8 19.44 19.89

Male Population - Working Age: 2009 258 301 234 205 314 1,312 28250 79144 1679890

Female Population - Working Age: 2009 203 275 207 199 265 1,149 25392 70565 1568925

Economic Activity Benefits and Tax Credits

Percentage of total population who are income deprived: 2008 18 11 7 20 14 14 7 8

Percentage of populations aged 16-24 claiming Jobseekers Allowance: 2008Q04 5.4 6.2 6.8 6 4.4 6 1.2 1.7 4.5

Percentage of populations aged 25-49 claiming Jobseekers Allowance: 2008Q04 2 3.2 0 2.4 0 2 0.7 0.8 2.8

Percentage of populations aged 50 to pensionable age claiming Jobseekers Allowance: 2008Q04 3.6 3 0 4.1 3.2 3 0.7 0.6 1.7

Percentage of working age population who are employment deprived: 2008 12 10 4 13 10 10 5 6 12

Total Income Support claimants.: 2009Q04 25 20 10 35 35 125 1040 3710 188710

Percentage of population aged 60 and over claiming guaranteed pension credits: 2008Q04 27.2 13.8 12.6 18.6 20.4 19 10.7 12.2 18.7

Percentage of population aged 16 - 19 in Workless Client Group: 2006Q03 12.2 13.2 0 12.8 6.6 9 3.9 4.1 7.8

Percentage of population aged 20 - 24 in Workless Client Group: 2006Q03 7.9 15.6 0 12.5 14.7 10 6.7 7.7 12.5

Percentage of population aged 25 - 49 in Workless Client Group: 2006Q03 11.9 9.6 2.3 18.7 12.3 11 5.2 6.5 13.8

Percentage of population aged 50 - Pensionable age in Workless Client Group: 2006Q03 20.7 11.8 7.5 11.1 16.4 14 8.2 9.9 19.3

Health

Estimated percentage of population prescribed drugs for anxiety depression or psychosis: 2007 7 7 7 7 7 7

Percentage of children breastfeeding at the 6 to 8 week review.: 2008 36.13

Emergency hospital admissions -both sexes- aged 65 and over - rate per 100000 population: 2008 35,326 30,544 31,047 35,443 24,370 31,346 21,017 20,610 25,691

Percentage of women smoking at booking: 06-08 25 10.7 11.1 50 20 23 15.3 17.4 19.6

37

title Quick Profile report for Data Zone S01000461





HUNTLY TOWN



Scotland

Percentage vaccinated against MMR1 by 5 years of age.: 2008 100 75 100 100 90 93 95.2 96 95

Hospital admissions for alcohol misuse - rate per 100000 population: 2001-2004 1029.11 1180.81 326.22 658.98 735.84 786 357.96 369.82 722.66

Hospital admissions for drugs misuse - rate per 100000 population: 2001-2004 58.81 221.4 29.66 131.8 122.64 113 74.66 92.43 127.46

Education Skills and Training

Total number of pupils in primary schools: 2009 63 61 42 62 76 304 6958 19113 364819

Total number of pupils in secondary schools: 09 47 47 36 44 79 253 5466 15350 301511

Average tariff score of all pupils on the S4 roll: 08 149 179 187 102 180 159 191 191 180

Average tariff score of Female pupils on the S4 roll: 2008 149 204 234 124 209 184 205 200 187

Average tariff score of Male pupils on the S4 roll: 2008 0 134 126 91 168 104 178 183 172

Number of Female pupils on the S4 roll: 2008 7 9 4 4 7 31 517 1540 28633

Number of Male pupils on the S4 roll: 2008 0 5 3 8 16 32 509 1565 29439

Housing

Total Number of Households: 2001 444 494 397 321 435 2,091 31775 90736 2192246

Percentage of Households - Owned: 2001 46.17 65.79 75.06 40.19 52.64 56 72.47 71.27 62.59

Percentage of Households - Social Rented: 2001 42.79 26.32 19.65 57.63 42.3 38 18.03 19.54 29.41

Percentage of Households - Private Rented: 01 11.04 7.89 5.29 2.18 5.06 6 9.5 9.19 8

Percentage of dwellings in Council Tax band A: 09 46.46 30.17 20.59 15.38 17.91 26 14.68 18.96 22.45

Percentage of dwellings in Council Tax bands A to C: 2009 84.45 68.86 44.92 99.08 70.58 74 42.67 46.03 62.11

Percentage of dwellings in Council Tax bands F to H: 2009 1.18 7.54 19.25 0 5.76 7 21.71 21.09 12.12

Total number of dwellings per hectare: 2009 29.65 10.57 10.34 9.85 8.35 14 0.2 0.17 0.32

House sales median price: 2008 100,000 122,500 128,665 106,000 130000 117433 209,250 190,000 138,000

House sales mean price: 2008 115,610 120,269 152,860 106,000 136103 126168 217,153 205,360 165,214

Index of Deprivation

Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation Rank: 09 2832 3776 5559 2109 3434 3542

Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation Decile: 09 5 6 9 4 6 6

Current Income Deprivation Decile: 2009 4 6 8 3 5 5

Employment Deprivation Decile: 2009 5 5 9 4 6 6

Health Deprivation Decile: 2009 3 6 7 5 4 5

Education Skills and Training Depr. Decile: 2009 5 6 9 2 5 5

Geographic Access to Services Deprivation Decile: 2009 10 8 9 6

9 8

Crime Deprivation Decile: 2009 7 4 4 7 7 6

Housing Deprivation Decile: 2009 4 7 10 4 6 6

Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation Vigintile (twentieth's): 2009 9 12 18 7

11 11

38

title Quick Profile report for Data Zone S01000461





HUNTLY TOWN



Scotland

Crime and Justice

Number of SIMD crimes per 10000 of the population: 2007/2008 267 457 460 215

229 326 180

Physical Environment

Percentage of people within 0-500 metres of any Derelict Site: 2009 0 48.3 19.5 0

0 14 10.2 8.1 30.1

Air Quality 2002-2004 - Nitrogen Dioxide concentration - Population weighted: 2002-2004 5.5 5.3 5.5 5.5 5.4 5 5.4 5.6

Air Quality 2002-2004 - PM10 concentration - Population weighted: 2002-2004 10.9 10.8 10.9 10.7 10.7 11 11.1 11

Access to Services

Drive time to a Post Office: 2007 1.1 1.4 1.5 2.5 1.5 2

Drive time to a Supermarket: 2003 0.8 1.8 1.5 2 1.6 2

Public Transport time (in minutes) to a GP: 2006 4 12 4 8.2 8.4 7

Public Transport time (in minutes) to a Post Office: 2006 5.2 5.4 5.8 10.1 5.6 6

Public Transport time (in minutes) to Shopping Facilities: 2006 1.5 6.5 4.3 4.7 5.1 4

Drive time to a GP: 2007 1.4 2.8 1.3 2.4 2.7 2

Geographic Classifications

Urban Rural Classification 2009-2010: 2009-2010 4 4 4 4 4 4

39

II. Project Portfolio with all 25 project descriptions

No.: 1 Theme: Community Name: Community hub

Short description:

A more sustainable Huntly depends on strong community commitment. This commitment can be realised when the Trust establishes a close link with the community. One of the big success factors for the Aberdeenshire Towns Partnership in Huntly was its role as ‘town coordinator’. A central Hub enables

this link and provides the platform to fulfil the role of town coordinator once again. The hub ideally is located in the centre of town with meeting facilities, an (internet) café and small business units to generate an income for the Trust as well.

The (feasibility study into the) establishment of a Huntly Hub has been mentioned in the Huntly Development Trust Business Plan (EC1, S5, EC2). Links were made to other project ideas such as the establishment of a George MacDonald Heritage Centre (C1) and the sale of local produce and Huntly merchandise (EC3).

The hub can be a multifunctional showcase of sustainable architecture in a conservation area for products and services related to Huntly and District and its heritage. This project will lead to a strengthened town centre with the Hub as an important magnet both for locals and visitors. Local employment can be retained.

Location(s) on the Huntly map:

Links with other projects:

2, 9, 10, 11, 14, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25

Development of local product line:

Example case studies: Universal Hall Findhorn with auditorium, meeting rooms, café, art exhibitions, dance & recording studios

Designed in Lewes

Potential project owner: HDT

Potential project partner(s): community groups and local businesses, depending on the extra ‘functions’ other partners as well, e.g. Visit Scotland, Gordon Highlanders Museum.


Feasibility study for ‘functions’ of hub and location.

Income generator for HDT:

The trust can ask for rent/donations from community groups meeting at the hub. If the hub has small business units, the trust will have income from rent.

Possible funding options:

Timescale for results: quick win: medium term (1-5 years): X long term (5+ years):


Social-cultural impact:

Closer links between community groups among themselves and between the community groups and the Trust.

Economic impact:

Option of small scale business units to enable start-up of businesses.

Environmental impact:

Showcase of green building.

Assessment criteria Score: 1 2 3 4 5 factor score Social impact for Huntly X 5

Economic impact for Huntly X 4

Environmental impact for Huntly X 4

Income generation for Trust X 3

Other (being innovative) X 5

Total score for project 21

40

No.: 2 Theme: Energy Name: Energy aware

Short description:

A sustainable use of energy starts with being aware of the issues of (non) sustainable use of energy. This is an ideal start for community engagement, both at group and individual level. HDT can give energy awareness training in co-operation with

SCARF, Community Energy Scotland (CES) and Energy Saving Trust (EST). Issues to cover could be heating, preventing heat loss, need for ventilation, lifestyle and housekeeping.

The next step is to start an Energy Information Centre

providing services such as audits, scans, advice on insulation and energy saving (see BeGreen Energy Advice, Sustaining Dunbar, 2010). This Energy Information Centre can be based at the Huntly Hub (project no 1).

Simple tools such as an ‘Energy Waste Check’, ‘Lighting Check’, ‘Heating Check’ and ‘Appliances Check’ (Dutch example www.nuonenergiebesparen.nl) may help Huntly people to save energy and money. Those tools can be provided by HDT. See also the Shared Energy Toolkit.



1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 23

Example case studies:

Sustaining Dunbar

Shared Energy Toolkit


Potential project partner(s): SCARF


Energy Saving Trust


Development/acquirement of energy (saving) tools and workshop settings


Energy training and services may generate an income for the Trust.


BeGreen Energy grants of up to £500 are provided by Community Windpower Ltd.

Community Energy Scotland?

Timescale for results: quick win: X medium term (1-5 years): X long term (5+ years):



Engage the community and make them aware of (non) sustainability issues of energy, and reduce fuel poverty.

Economic impact:

Work for (local) energy advisors.


Save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.







41

No.: 3 Theme: Energy Name: Energy saving campaign

Short description:

Promote energy saving in co-operation with Save Cash Reduce Fuel (SCARF) using the Home Insulation Scheme

(HIS) of the Scottish Government.

SCARF aims to complete energy surveys in Huntly and to signpost people onto various subsidised or free schemes to lower the cost of heating their homes. An insulation installer has been contracted to provide both Roof and Cavity Wall insulation at a subsidised cost.

HDT can help SCARF by spreading the word of this scheme in Huntly. Invite SCARF along to community events or link them to community groups and promote the project in Huntly by word or mouth or by displaying promotional materials.

HDT might be able to contract local insulation installer(s) or have them trained to do the local work.

The Huntly Hub could be a showcase of new insulation techniques such as green roofs with succulents (sedum), moss and herbs. These roofs not only insulate, they also filter the air, capture CO2 (see also http://www.greenroofs.com/).


All households in Huntly are targeted.


2, 9, 23


More information can be found on: www.homeinsulationscheme.co.uk

Potential project owner: SCARF

Potential project partner(s): Aberdeenshire Council

Energy Saving Trust

HDT


None


Not at the moment.


Is funded by Scottish Government already.

Timescale for results: quick win: X medium term (1-5 years): long term (5+ years):



Reduce fuel poverty.

Economic impact:

Work for (local) energy advisors and insulation installer (SCARF has contracted one already, see whether a local tradesman can be contracted as well).


Save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.







42

No.: 4 Theme: Energy Name: Generate wind power

Short description:

As a means to generate income for the Trust, HDT could develop one or more community wind turbines. These

would be community-owned assets. The generated green electricity provides an income for the Trust via the Feed-In Tariff scheme. The scheme guarantees a minimum payment for all electricity generated by the system (generation tariff), as well as a separate payment for the electricity exported to grid (export tariff).

The Trust has commissioned a feasibility study into the addition of community wind turbine(s) to existing wind farms near Huntly.



2, 9


Isle of Eigg

Mackie’s

Papa Westray


Potential project partner(s): Energy Saving Trust



Planning permission, permission site owner, connection to the grid and investment in installation


Yes, generated electricity as well as export of electricity to the grid will provide an income.


Feed-In Tariff, Energy Savings Trust, CARES, Rural Development Contracts - Rural Priorities, Big Lottery Fund




-

Economic impact:

-


Generation of green electricity prevents the use of fossil fuels and thus reduces greenhouse gas emissions.







43

No.: 5 Theme: Energy Name: Generate hydro power

Short description:

Historically, the river Bogie provided hydro-power already in the 19

th century. At least 7 water-powered installations were

identified (Nixon 1871). Since the head of the river Bogie is limited, Francis, Kaplan, cross-flow or reverse Archimedean screw turbines are most likely to be used. If more sites are feasible, different technologies can be chosen to make Huntly Hydro a showcase.

The generated green electricity provides an income for the Trust via the Feed-In Tariff scheme. The scheme guarantees a minimum payment for all electricity generated by the system (generation tariff), as well as a separate payment for the electricity exported to grid (export tariff).

Development at or near historical sites not only makes planning permission more likely, it opens opportunities for the Trust to develop spin-off tourism and heritage projects as well.

The Trust has commissioned a feasibility study into one or more Huntly Community Hydro Project(s).


Potential sites based on old map of Huntly of 1871.


2, 5, 9, 24


Isle of Eigg Electrification Scheme (112kW)

Settle Hydro, community owned scheme (50kW)

Torrs Hydro, community owned scheme (70kW)


Potential project partner(s): Energy Saving Trust, Community Energy Scotland, Scottish Hydro Contracting (SSE Contracting of Scottish and Southern Energy Group), Deveron, Bogie and Isla Rivers Trust










Possible link to Huntly’s heritage of old mills.

Economic impact:

Development and maintenance of mills.









44

No.: 6 Theme: Energy Name: Generate biogas power

Short description:

At the site of the waste-water treatment plant beside the River Bogie and the Golf Course, an anaerobic digester can be

placed to produce a methane and carbon dioxide rich biogas from human waste. This biogas can be used in a biogas engine to generate electricity; waste heat from the engine can be used to heat the digester.

The generated green electricity (‘sewage gas’ or ‘poo power’) provides an income for the Trust via the Feed-In Tariff scheme. The scheme guarantees a minimum payment for all electricity generated by the system (generation tariff), as well as a separate payment for the electricity exported to grid (export tariff).



2, 9, 10


Didcot sewage works biogas installation (first in UK)

Potential project owner: HDT/Scottish Water

Potential project partner(s): Aberdeenshire Council, RGU/PhD project, Energy Saving Trust, Community Energy Scotland,







Timescale for results: quick win: medium term (1-5 years): long term (5+ years): X



Economic impact:

Job creation.


Prevents landfill (residue of waste water treatment) and the generation of green electricity prevents the use of fossil fuels and thus reduces greenhouse gas emissions.







45

No.: 7 Theme: Energy Name: Generate solar power

Short description:

HDT puts up photovoltaic panels as a solar plant on an empty

plot in the industrial estate or at the roof of the Recycling & Repair centre (see project 9) at the existing site of the Household Waste & Recycling Centre (its roof already south facing) at the industrial estate. A 2nd solar project can be set up on the roofs of new housing developments.

The generated green electricity provides an income for the Trust via the Feed-In Tariff scheme. The scheme guarantees a minimum payment for all electricity generated by the system (generation tariff), as well as a separate payment for the electricity exported to grid (export tariff).

Solar can complement hydro-power, since in winter times water flow and thus hydro power is at its highest when solar power is at a minimum.



2, 5, 9, 12


Isle of Eigg Electrification Scheme

Willebroek, Belgium, solar plant on roof of distribution centre


Potential project partner(s): Aberdeenshire Council

Energy Saving Trust

Community Energy Scotland,


Planning application on industrial estate plot, investment in solar panels for solar plant and connection to the grid.








-

Economic impact:

Job creation









46

No.: 8 Theme: Energy Name: Generate biomass (wood) power

Short description:

Since Huntly is surrounded by woodland, using wood as fuel is worth exploring. Possible projects could be heating for Scott’s Hospital and a combination of the Gordon Schools, the Linden Centre and the Swimming Pool (Aberdeenshire Council). In-depth preparations are essential before a wood-fuel project can be started, (pre) feasibility studies are needed in close

co-operation with above mentioned partners. The Forestry Commission Scotland has prepared a seven stage woodfuel checklist (see website ‘The essentials’), and it would be worth

HDT going through this checklist before starting the project.



2, 9


Forestry Commission / Huntly

Tullynessle & Forbes public hall

Cloudhouse Café

Potential project owner: Scott’s or A’shire Council

Potential project partner(s): Forestry Commission

HDT


(pre) feasibility studies with project owners and partners


none


Central Energy Efficiency Fund (CEEF)





Education of school children and/or inhabitants of Scott’s Hospital

Economic impact:

-









47

No.: 9 Theme: Energy Name: Huntly carbon neutral

Short description:

Huntly can embark on a journey towards a low carbon lifestyle. By making Huntly carbon neutral, HDT can bring the community together in an inspiring project to lower its carbon footprint, tackle climate change and set an example in the Northeast of Scotland. Reducing the town’s carbon footprint requires a set of sub-projects.

A first start is ‘footprinting the community’ (see for example

Ashton Hayes, Carbon Earth). To lower Huntly and District's ecological footprint, a local CO2 offset scheme (mentioned in

HDT Business Plan EN2) can be set up. Local individuals, organisations and business are offered the opportunity to compensate for environmental costs associated with their lifestyle or operations. They contribute to a fund, the proceeds of which will be spent on environmental improvement projects in Huntly and District by HDT or other organisations,

e.g. biochar, tree-planting, renewable energy or other environmental improvement activities.


The whole community of Huntly is involved and projects that might benefit need to be identified in the future.


1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 23


Papa Westray, Ashton Hayes , Lewes

Biochar, Carbon Earth


Potential project partner(s): WWF, Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group, Aberdeenshire Council, Forestry Commission Scotland


Expertise on how to go about establishing a carbon offset fund


Running of the Fund might generate some admin. income.


Timescale for results: quick win: medium term (1-5 years): X long term (5+ years): X



Working together as a community towards carbon neutrality will bring members of that community closer to eachother

Economic impact:

A value of greenhouse gas emissions is given to certain activities which will be put together in a fund for future development.


Off set of greenhouse gases (or storage in case of biochar) and Huntly will be working towards being carbon neutral







48

No.: 10 Theme: Energy Name: Water aware & saving campaign

Short description: Twenty percent of household CO2 emissions result from using water in the house. Compared to mainland Europe, the UK has less drinking water available per person (WaterWise, 2010). There is no shortage of water in Huntly but the waste of water could be reduced leading to not only a saving in costs for water but for energy as well. About one third of our water runs through the plughole or is being flushed without being used, e.g. when the tab runs while brushing teeth.

Making people aware of their water use and providing them with water saving tips will help save water and energy and thus reduce greenhouse gases. Examples of water saving tips

are: install water efficient shower head and WC water saving device, use dish washer and washing machines only with full load, use a bowl to wash up instead of running hot tap, only boil the amount of water you need, rainwater collection, grey water systems and compost toilets.

Parallel to the ‘Energy Aware’ project (No 2), HDT can give water awareness workshops and deliver water services in

co-operation with the Energy Saving Trust and WaterWise. This Energy/Water Information Centre can be based at the Huntly Hub (project No 1).


The whole community of Huntly is involved. If a combination is sought with the Energy Information Centre, the location will be the potential Huntly Hub.


1, 6, 10, 23


WaterWise

Energy Saving Trust


Potential project partner(s): WaterWise

Energy Saving Trust


Development/acquirement of water saving tools and workshop settings.


Energy training and services may generate an income for the Trust.


WaterWise

Energy Saving Trust




Engage community and make them aware of (non) sustainability issues of water.

Economic impact:

Potentially work for local advisors


Reduce greenhouse gas emissions







49

No.: 11 Theme: Waste Name: Waste aware

Short description: Waste means losing valuable resources, and, if sent to landfill, it releases methane and thus contributes to climate change. Replacing things also results in more use of energy and other natural resources. Prevention of waste starts with awareness and in close co-operation with Aberdeenshire Council, the Trust can help to make the community more aware of waste issues and realise waste reduction. This has financial benefits for Aberdeenshire Council as they are charged a penalty for every tonne of waste sent to landfill.

The Trust can play an important role in helping Aberdeenshire Council and the Scottish Government with their campaigns where possible. The Council’s current campaign ‘Room to

Waste’ could be repeated in Huntly, e.g. a humorous combination of the Huntly motto ‘Room to Roam’ with the Council’s waste campaign motto ‘Room to Waste’.

Another initiative for the Trust can be supporting Huntly people in setting up ‘eco teams’ to reduce household waste, save

energy and spend less on household bills.

As an organisation, the Trust should focus on its own reduction of waste where possible and be an example to the Huntly

community.


The whole community of Huntly is involved. If a Huntly Hub is realised, this would potentially be a showcase for waste aware projects as well.


1, 12, 13, 14, 23


Eco teams by Global Action Plan, Waste Aware Scotland, Waste Aware Grampian, Waste Aware Aberdeenshire; Toolkit can be found at Waste Aware Partners

Potential project owner: Aberdeenshire Council

Potential project partner(s): HDT


-


-


-




Engage community and make them aware of (non) sustainability issues of waste.

Economic impact:


Reduce waste being sent to landfill, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental impacts.







50

No.: 12 Theme: Waste Name: Repair & recycle centre

Short description:

To prevent landfill with unwanted and broken goods, a Repair & Recycle Centre can be established at the industrial estate.

This centre will provide a repair service and small scale processing of recyclates to add value and/or reduce transport costs. It also provides training and jobs for a variety of new employees.

People of Huntly and district can bring their broken goods to the Centre. They can have them repaired for themselves or they can leave their unwanted goods, which, after being repaired/refurbished, will be sold in a ‘second hand’ shop on the same site. Some of the recycled materials could potentially be sold (locally) to create an income stream

In the HDT Business Plan, running a bicycle refurbishment shop was mentioned (S4). This bicycle repair scheme could

be part of the activities in the repair centre. In this case, a link can be made with ‘promote cycling’ (project no.16).

A combination can be made with project no. 7 by putting PV panels on the roof of the south-facing Centre.



7, 11, 13, 14, 16, 19


Pitmeddan Wood RecyclAbility Ltd, Moray Waste Busters in Forres, 2ReUse initiative Peterhead, GREAN, Milieustraat Nijmegen (Dutch example)


Potential project partner(s): Aberdeenshire Council (site), Banff & Buchan College (training), Huntly Mental Health Association, Aberdeen Forward


Co-operation with local household waste and recycling centre of the Aberdeenshire council and provision of space for workshop and ‘second hand’ shop at the site


Yes, reducing landfill and selling refurbished goods might provide an income for the Trust.


Rural Development Contracts - Rural Priorities, Zero Waste Scotland




Awareness of the change from a ‘throw away’- society towards a ‘reduce-reuse-recycle’ and zero waste society.

Economic impact:

Job creation and sales opportunity for recyclates.


Less landfill, longer use of matter







51

No.: 13 Theme: Waste Name: Community composting

Short description:

An effective way of reducing landfill by household waste is composting organic waste. Promoting community composting in Huntly can be focused on three levels: small

scale or home composting (Aberdeenshire Council provides discounts on green cones and promotes the discounts Scottish Government is giving on composting bins), medium scale composting at the existing and new developed allotments and larger scale at the industrial estate.

The latter could be run by HDT. For community composting at town level, the Community Composting Network (CCN) is developing micro anaerobic digestion (AD) units for

decentralised, on-site treatment of waste and production of fertilizer and energy. A small-scale working AD system was exhibited during the second CCN micro Anaerobic Digestion Event, held at the Centre for Alternative Technology on Saturday 10th July 2010.



11, 12, 14, 22


GREAN

Community composting network

Potential project owner: Aberdeenshire Council / HDT

Potential project partner(s): Community composting network


Feasibility implementation of micro AD unit


-


-




Engage community and make them aware of (non) sustainability issues of organic waste.

Economic impact:

Prevents landfill and might deliver sellable products

Environmental impact: Reduction of waste going to landfill; Topsoil struc-ture preservation and improvement; Utilising the proximity principle to con-vert a locally arising waste problem into a locally available resource.







52

No.: 14 Theme: Waste Name: Huntly zero waste

Short description:

The Scottish Government aims for ‘zero waste’ in 2025. Huntly could aim to be the first Scottish town to be ‘zero waste’ and prevent waste from ending up in landfill. This requires a transformation from a waste management economy to one based on resource management.

This project requires the implementation of an integrated ‘zero waste plan’ for Huntly with full involvement of the whole

community: households, businesses and other organisations. All ‘waste’ projects (project no. 11, 12 and 13) need to be implemented and extra projects need to be developed. Examples will vary from a real nappy washing scheme with a cargo bike for clean/dirty nappies for young families, to the implementation of the cradle-to-cradle concept for all (new) developments in Huntly. In the Japanese village of Kamikatsu, a zero waste policy has led to 98 per cent of the population of 2,000 using home composting, and to recycling rates of 80 per cent – with waste sorted into 34 different recycling categories.


The whole community of Huntly is involved.


1, 9, 11, 12, 13, 23


Cradle-to-cradle

Kamikatsu

TCPA ‘towards zero waste’


Potential project partner(s): Aberdeenshire Council, community groups, local businesses (see also partners in projects no 11, 12 and 13)


Feasibility study in the possibilities of making Huntly a zero waste town.


If Trust is involved in (part of) projects, some income could be generated


Scottish Government

Timescale for results: quick win: medium term (1-5 years): long term (5+ years): X



Engage community and make them aware of (non) sustainability issues of waste.

Economic impact:

Job creation and sales opportunity for recyclates.


Reduce waste being sent to landfill to zero, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental impacts.







53

No.: 15 Theme: Transport Name: Promote walking

Short description: To make locals and visitors aware of the (non) sustainability issues of transport and to promote sustainable transport modes, the Trust is promoting walking in and around Huntly (Business Plan theme 5.3). Specific actions have been identified in the Huntly Traffic Management Review. Special attention will be needed to enable children to walk safely to and from the Schools and for locals as well as visitors who are shopping in the town centre. Walking in Huntly is not only a means to go from A to B. Walking for pleasure is a popular leisure activity in and around Huntly at all times of year. Various recent studies have identified that Huntly is a potentially excellent base for walking holidays into the wider hinterland as proven by the securing of Walkers are Welcome status. To further promote Huntly as a walking destination, improvements to infrastructure e.g. bridges, paths, signposts & interpretation boards, are needed. The Trust can support the Huntly And District Town Action Group (HADTAG) in working on these improvements. The recently started ‘walkshops’ to develop new walks accompanied by appropriate maps and information booklets will be instrumental to make Huntly a ‘walking paradise’ and they can be presented during the second Huntly Walking Festival in April 2011.


The whole of Huntly can be used.


9, 23, 24


There are many examples, just to name a few: London walks, Urban walks and the Dutch ‘NS wandeltocht’ from rail station to rail station.

Potential project owner: Huntly And District Town Action Group (HADTAG)

Potential project partner(s): HDT, SNH, Aberdeenshire Council, Moary Council, Forestry Commisison Scotland, Strath-bogie Ramblers, local landowners and community groups


-


Sales of maps and information booklets Walking festival: entry fees and sponsorship


LEADER, SNH




When walking, people meet people and sense of community is enhanced; development of thematic walks preserve the cultural heritage

Economic impact:

Attracting walkers to Huntly will provide in stays in B&B’s, guesthouses and hotels, plus peope shopping in Huntly


If walking is a substitution for using a car, CO2 emissions are being reduced.







54

No.: 16 Theme: Transport Name: Promote cycling

Short description:

To make locals and visitors aware of the (non) sustainability issues of transport and to promote sustainable transport modes, the Trust is promoting cycling in and around Huntly (Business Plan theme 5.1/2). More and more people are using a bike to go around town. Huntly can become a regional cycling centre when the Trust is able to establish a BMX/cycling course.

HDT has commissioned a feasibility study into development of a cycling centre in the Meadows. This project seeks to build on the facilities at Huntly Nordic & Outdoor Centre and the fact that land neighbouring HNOC, zoned for housing, can no longer be developed due to flood risk. In addition, Huntly & District offers diverse cycling opportunities: short, relatively flat road circuits, longer more hilly outings e.g. into the Cairngorms National Park and off-road forest tracks in the immediate vicinity.



9, 12, 23, 24


Scottish Cycling

Redbridge Cycling Centre

Sustrans


Potential project partner(s): Aberdeenshire Council, Scottish Cycling, Cycling Scotland, Forestry Commission Scotland, Huntly Ski Club


Feasibility study


To be found out in feasibility study.


Bike Club Grant. This fund has been set up to encourage young people to get involved in cycling and offers of grants of up to £2,000 per project.




Health benefits for all ages

Economic impact:

Increased profile as top sport destination, cyclo-sportive events offer economic development and promotional opportunities for Huntly.


Environmentally-friendly mode of transport plus upgrading of Meadows







55

No.: 17 Theme: Transport Name: Promote public transport

Short description:

To make locals and visitors aware of the (non) sustainability issues of transport and to promote sustainable transport modes, the Trust facilitates the promotion of using of public transport travelling in, out and around Huntly. The promotion itself is done by the Aberdeenshire Council, such as leaflets on dial-a-bus for Huntly. HDT could offer public transport information on www.huntly.net.




9, 23, 24


Aberdeenshire Council, public transport

Potential project owner: Aberdeenshire Council



-


-


-




Enabling people to travel from A to B and socialise

Economic impact:

Bring visitors and shoppers into Huntly


Environmentally-friendly mode of transport.







56

No.: 18 Theme: Transport Name: Promote car sharing

Short description:

To make locals and visitors aware of the (non) sustainability issues of transport and to promote sustainable transport modes, the Trust facilitates the promotion of car sharing in Huntly and intends to establish a car club scheme as mentioned in the Business Plan (EC6).

Before such a scheme can be established it is advised to explore the potentials for such a car club. Transport Scotland has offered to provide assistance in the development of a local car club via Carplus, a registered charity experienced in this field.

A car club for Huntly intends to provide an alternative means of transport for people who do not want to own a car but who still require access to a private vehicle from time to time. Users book the vehicle for their required period, gain access to it through a unique code and return it when they are finished. Bookings could be offered via www.huntly.net, the Huntly Hub and over the phone.




5, 23


Carplus, pay-as-you-go cars; City Car Club, Street Car, WhipCar


Potential project partner(s): Aberdeenshire Council, other Car Clubs, local car hire businesses, Huntly Business Association


Feasibility study


To be seen, it could be that the Trust can raise an income for administration of the scheme.


Carplus




Low-cost means of sustainable transport and sense of community

Economic impact:

Need to be explored during feasibility study, could be business opportunity for local garages.


Lower environmental impact as members of such a scheme do not have to own their own vehicle car and (naturally) tend to use alternative modes of transport first.







57

No.: 19 Theme: Transport Name: Delivery service

Short description:

Huntly has an aging population with an increasing need to have their shopping brought to their homes. At the same time, short distance transport miles are causing relatively highest emissions of greenhouse gases. A ‘town cargo bike’ project can benefit both people in need of transporting their goods as well as the reduction of greenhouse gases. The Royal Mail is sourcing out their Mail Bikes. They (or comparable bikes) can be (re)used by the Trust to organise a delivery services for elderly people or people otherwise limited in their moving around in Huntly in delivering their shopping or delivering any other services, e.g. bringing mail to the mailbox at the Square


The delivery service will be operating in the town of Huntly. A bike storage facility can be combined with the bike repair centre (project 14).


12, 20, 21, 25


A variety of ‘city cargo bike’ projects in the Netherlands, e.g. ‘fietskoerier’ (bike courier) in Nijmegen or DHL in Den Haag


Potential project partner(s):


Investment in a (series of) town cargo bike(s), maintenance scheme (project 14) and recruitment of (volunteer) delivery cyclists


Yes, a small income from bringing around goods.





Supports elderly people and people otherwise limited in their moving around Huntly

Economic impact:

Home deliveries will be made easier.


Less use of fossil fuels for transport and thus greenhouse gas emissions







58

No.: 20 Theme: Food Name: Promote local food

Short description:

To make locals and visitors aware of the (non) sustainability issues of food and food miles, the Trust will support locals who are involved in local food production and promotion. This support will focus on the Huntly Farmers Market group and their activities. The Huntly Farmers Market is a successful monthly event, as well as the regular Tin Hut Supper and annual Huntly Hairst Food and Farming Festival.

An important international movement for promoting local food and food biodiversity is the Slow Food Movement. There is already an Aberdeenshire Slow Food convivium. The next step could be making Huntly a Slow Food Town. It is worth exploring the opportunities of becoming a Slow Food Town and what the positive economic impact of doing so could be for Huntly.



1, 19, 22, 24, 25


Cittaslow UK

Perth Citta Slow

Potential project owner: Huntly Farmers Market



Visit to Perth and see what it requires to become a ‘Slow Town’.


-


-




Make locals and visitors aware of the (non) sustainability issues of food and food miles

Economic impact:

Attract more visitors.


Improve local food biodiversity.







59

No.: 21 Theme: Food Name: Promote ethical trading

Short description:

In doing your daily shopping, people may encounter many

ethical choices. What is better, local produce or Fairtrade or

organic? What about food miles? The Huntly Ethical Trading

Initiative aims to support local households, businesses and

organisations to increase their awareness of ethical trading

and make informed purchase choices. Secondly, the group

aims to increase the availability of ethically traded products

and services.

The first milestone of the group was to achieve Fairtrade

Status for Huntly. This has been awarded on the 26th of

October 2010.

The Trust can keep supporting this initiative and maintain its

own ethical purchase policy.


Ethical trading applies to the whole of Huntly.


1, 19, 22, 24, 25


Fairtrade Towns

Potential project owner: HETI



-


-


-




Fairtrade Towns bring people together and increase understanding of how small actions add up to make a big difference to the lives of people thousands of miles away.

Economic impact:

Fairtrade Brand might attract extra visitors.


Extra focus can be given on issues such as organic versus conventional farming







60

No.: 22 Theme: Food Name: Edible green

Short description:

A town needs to be able to breathe. The lungs of a town are its gardens, parks and public green landscaping. Trees in the street provide literally a lively street life. However, public green needs to be maintained and in times of tight public budgets, public green space is often removed. Community initiatives take over, like the flower tubs in the Square in Huntly by the Huntly Floral Fund.

In Huntly there is room for more community initiatives (HDT Business Plan S3/EN1). The Huntly Mental Health Association has been looking into the possibilities of a community garden. A good example is the GREAN Community Garden where the bedding plants for the flower tubs are grown during the spring. During the rest of the year, the polytunnels are used by groups of children to grow tomato and other salad fruits.

Other public/community owned green areas could show other plants and shrubs like rosehips (to make Handmade Huntly Jam) and plums or apples in community orchards.


Rather than using a discrete area, the whole of Huntly could be considered as ‘the community garden’.


1, 13, 20, 21, 23


GREAN

Potential project owner: Rotary, Huntly Mental Health Association, other community initiatives

Potential project partner(s): HDT, Horticultural Society, Aberdeenschire Council


The Aberdeenshire Council should be involved to see where public green can be established.


-


Service Level Agreement from Aberdeenshire Council?




Community building and lively streets where people can find green, research shows that ‘green’ surroundings are improving the general health of people

Economic impact:

Huntly will be more attractive to visitors because of the green landscaping


A literally ‘more green environment







61

No.: 23 Theme: Housing Name: Future real estate development

Short description: In the Aberdeenshire local development plan, future housing development is proposed on the east side of Huntly (northwest of Battlehill Wood (up to 630 houses) and at the east entrance of Huntly from the A96, up to 50 houses in total). According to the plan, 50% of these developments need to be affordable housing. The Trust can take the initiative to ensure the use of renewable energy technologies and the highest standards of insulation (‘passive house’ with annual heating cost of appr. £100, see Housing Expo, 2010).

Based on the interest for the Housing Expo 2010, Huntly could host the next Housing Expo, e.g. on the south-facing hill side of Battlehill Wood (site H2 at the local development plan), ideal for passive energy housing design and attractive, easy accessible site for visitors.

To make use of waste streams at the Industrial Estate, e.g. heat, materials, a feasibility study could be made to explore the possibilities of connecting resource streams thus saving energy and money. Development of a solar plant, a wood chip boiler/combined heat & power plant and the repair & recycle centre (project no. 7, 8 and 12) should be part of that holistic plan for the future developments at the Industrial Estate.



1, 2, 3, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23


Housing Expo, Streekeigen Bedrijvenlandschap (Dutch example of typology for sustainable development of industrial estates)


Potential project partner(s): Aberdeenshire Council, Scotland’s Housing Expo


Cooperation with Aberdeenshire Council on planning requirements for new developments


Needs to be identified in feasibility study for Housing Expo & Industrial Estate


Combination of partners in the Housing Expo (see Housing Expo in Inverness)

Timescale for results: quick win: medium term (1-5 years): X long term (5+ years): X



Affordable green housing

Economic impact:

New housing and industrial development


Sustainable housing & industrial development, thus reducing impact from energy use and waste







62

No.: 24 Theme: Economy Name: Promote sustainable tourism

Short description:

“Making Huntly a better place to live, work and visit” implies that HDT wants to work on the promotion of tourism as well. In close co-operation with HADTAG, the HDT can help to promote Huntly as an attractive place to visit.

This promotion of tourism consists of a variety of projects to attract different types of visitors. A permanent, year round tourist information centre should be realised. Furthermore, walking tours (project no. 5 and 15) and cycling routes (project no. 16) can be developed with different themes, such as local heroes (George MacDonald, James Legge, Ronald Center), historic fame (the Gordons, textile industry) and leisure. Also local food producers can be supported in promoting their quality produce in developing Slow Strathbogie for example.



1, 5, 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, 25


London Walks, Slow Food, Visit Scotland Sustainable Tourism

Potential project owner: HADTAG

Potential project partner(s): HDT, Visit Scotland


Developments of tours, network support for tourism suppliers



LEADER, Visiting Scotland Sustainable Tourism




Promote cultural heritage of Huntly

Economic impact:

Increase number of visitors to Huntly


Promote the use of sustainable modes of transport and local food heritage & biodiversity







63

No.: 25 Theme: Economy Name: Promote sustainable retail

Short description:

Huntly used to be known for its flourishing retail sector. Over the last years, more and more shops closed their doors and left empty premises. Some of them occupied by niche business, such as the millinery shop and the Fairtrade shop, but some left still empty. The Huntly Rewards loyalty scheme is still active as it enters its third year.

However, more action is required if Huntly is to retain an interesting retail offer in the town centre. This was a priority issue in the recent community consultation on ‘what next after ATP?’.

A feasibility study is needed to explore what is needed to attract more (niche) businesses to the town centre and to explore options for offering support to potential or embryonic Huntly retail businesses. A combination can be made with the development of the Huntly Hub (project no 1).

Some towns have developed their own local currency to boost local economy, e.g. the Lewes pound. More research is needed to assess whether this will indeed stimulate the local economy. Links can be made with Finland, Juankoski, who are interested in a similar development.



1, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24


Amble Development Trust (retail study)

Haslemere Rewards (loyalty card)

Lewes (Lewes pound)

Potential project owner: HBA

Potential project partner(s): HDT, local businesses, potential starters, property & retai specialists, Aberdeenshire Council, Federation of Small Businesses


Feasibility study


-


Aberdeenshire Council




Regenerated town centre

Economic impact:

Attractive town centre with different (niche) shops for both locals and visitors.


Potential regeneration of empty (derelict) shops.







Executive summary - Huntly and District Development Trust · ii Executive summary Develop a Huntly...

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