Public have their say on Stromness redevelopment
(Story dated: Thursday, October 20, 2005)

An artist's impression of one of the potential redevelopments for Stromness

The potential redevelopment of the Stromness pierhead generated the most comments from the public during the recent OIC exhibition on the future of Stromness town centre.

There were 133 responses to the questionnaires circulated by the council on the development of the pierhead, the West Mainland Mart site and the lorry park area.

Of these, 72 per cent were in favour of some type of regeneration and only six per cent wanted no change to the area.

The exhibition suggested creating some form of public open space at the Pier Head and 58 per cent of the questionnaires supported this idea with 26 per cent opposed.

Proposals from the public included the removal, or extension, of the current buildings and a desire to keep Wishart's shop in place.

Public opinion was split over the idea of creating a covered area or leaving it open. Most comments mentioned the need for any development to be traditional in design and sympathetic to the character of Stromness.

Proposals to alter access to the Town House gained support, but only 25 per cent of the responses supported the idea of creating a decked area in the garden.

Widespread support was expressed for moving the library but the possibility of an OIC One Stop Shop and public exhibition spaces received a mixed response.

Fifty seven per cent of replies supported an idea to fill in parts of the harbour to create extra parking although concerns were raised about the design and visual impact of such a project.

The future of the West Mainland Mart Site was also up for discussion.

Of the 103 questionnaires received, over 90 per cent supported the idea of a mixed use development for the site

Housing and community uses proved the most popular options. Most people suggested that any developments should be traditional in design. All the ideas received will be taken forward in a future production of a development brief for the site.

Plans for the development of the Lorry Park were similar to those received about the Mart Site - most supported the idea of mixed use, although housing developments were suggested by a number of residents.

James Stockan, Local Member for Stromness North and Chairman of the Stromness Town Centre Partnership, said: "The Council and Stromness Town Partnership would like to thank the people of Stromness for their enthusiastic responses and all their ideas. The next stage will be to design revised development options in the light of all the comments received and there will be a further round of public consultation in the New Year."