Muirton projects aim to regenerate area

Nov 10 2009 by Les Stewart, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

A GROUP of local residents are hoping to inject as much as £250,000 into a raft of projects designed to give Perth’s Muirton district a new lease of life.

The first AGM of the Muirton Development Trust was held in the Riverside Church, North Muirton.

And chairman described it as a “historic moment” for the community.

Mr Swindale explained that almost 100 people attended an initial meeting designed to form the group back in 2007, before it began life a year later.

He said: “We are now in a position to promote and attract considerable funding for community facilities and services in the local area.”

In addition to arranging a number of community events, the trust has been instrumental in helping get “The Farm” and “Cottage Garden” off the ground – a pair of small meeting and play areas within regenerated parts of the district.

They have also been the driving force behind the design of the crescent, the most prominent open space in the estate.

Mr Swindale continued: “This has given us the opportunity to provide informal training on things like planting and landscaping for younger residents in the area.

“We have also been working closely with another community group, the Muirton Community Flat Users’ Group (MCFUG), to set up a young persons’ support project in Muirton,” he said.

The trust have negotiated with Perthshire Housing Association and Fairfield Co-op to create a community flat, which they plan to use as a venue for future community events and meetings.

It is also hoped a recent bid to the Scottish Government’s Climate Challenge Fund will see them join the likes of Alyth, Comrie and Letham in attempting to reduce their carbon footprint.

Mr Swindale told the PA he wants to see the trust expand its membership and continue to build on what has been a successful year.

The AGM also saw two new members elected to the trust’s board of directors – Elaine O’Brien and the Rev Grant McLaughlin, of the Riverside Church.

Anyone interested in getting involved can contact secretary, Fiona Gray, on: 07760477768 or membership secretary, Gavin Stewart, on: 07743374078 or, alternatively, e-mail: info@muirtonparkcdt.co.uk