Between 2018 and 2023, local people across Strathard came together to plan the future of our communities. Facilitated by the Community Chartering Network (CCN), residents created “Community Life Plans” for each area.
This was the biggest local planning project in rural Scotland, with up to 95% of residents getting involved, from primary school pupils to older generations. Together, we agreed on what makes our villages special, the challenges we face, and what needs to change to protect our way of life, our environment, and our local economy.
Here is what this work achieved and why it matters to our community:
- A Strong Voice in Local Decisions: Instead of outside organisations telling us what Strathard needs, our Community Life Plans put local voices first. They set clear priorities on key issues like housing, public transport, visitor management, flood protection, and local jobs.
- A First for Scotland: Between 2020 and 2022, the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park used our local plans to create the Strathard Framework. This pioneer project made Strathard one of the first rural areas in the UK where official land planning, climate preparation, and community priorities were combined into one shared agreement looking ahead to 2040.
- Real, Ongoing Action: Because all the key agencies—from the council to environmental groups—can see exactly what the community wants, we now meet with them every three months. This keeps projects moving on the ground, whether that means managing natural woodland or protecting our dark skies.
- Official Recognition: In 2023, the National Park Authority officially certified our combined work as the statutory Strathard Local Place Plan. This means developers, authorities, and planners are now legally required to use our community vision as their baseline guide for future decision-making in the glen.
By taking the lead, Strathard has shown the rest of Scotland what is possible when small rural communities are given the tools to shape their own future.
We’ve made the Life Plan documents and subsequent Strathard Framework available for download below.
