New dimension in planning to avoid Forres dump

Residents in Forres are being asked to help create a 3D-scale model of what they want their community to look like in 2020.

Forres is renowned for its floral sculptures

Supported by Moray Council, Forres 2020 Vision will create a platform for local people to put forward their opinions and feelings about the town’s future.

Suggestions will contribute to local planning developments of green spaces and publicly owned land and buildings over the next five to ten years.

Using a nationally recognised planning process called Planning for Real®, a large 3D-scale model of Forres will be constructed and used as a visual aid to steer discussion.

Residents will be able to register their views on a range of topics and areas using small flags and the flagged suggestions received will inform the development of an action plan for the future.

The action plan will in turn be used to help shape the Moray Local Development Plan and the Open Space Strategy for Moray for 2020 and onwards.

Throughout late October and November, people of all ages are invited to Forres Town Hall to get hands-on with the process to help make the 3D model.

Children and adults alike are encouraged along to paint, stick and create paper buildings of local landmarks to form the virtual planning map. Sessions will be held on Tuesday mornings from 10am to 12 noon and on Thursdays from 7pm to 9pm.

Once complete, the model will become mobile, visiting schools and community groups and be available at open sessions throughout the town making it as accessible as possible for everyone to contribute their ideas.

People can also keep up to date via social media: facebook.com/forres2020vision and Twitter @Forres2020 #Forres2020Vision.

Forres is about 27 miles north-east of Inverness and dates back to as early as the second century, becoming a busy village after a royal castle was built around 900AD.

Two centuries later it became one of many royal burghs founded to encourage trade.

The population of Forres has grown in recent years and now has over 12,000 inhabitants.

It is well known for its award-winning floral sculptures and is steeped in local history and traditions.

The town is the location of Sueno’s Stone, most likely sculpted by Picts to commemorate a battle against Viking invaders.

Other attractions to Forres include Dallas Dhu Distillery, south of the town which is maintained in working order by Historic Scotland

Benromach Distillery is an active distillery with a visitors’ centre north of the Forres bypass. The Shakespeare play Macbeth locates Duncan’s castle in Forres, and the Three Witches meet on a heath near the town.

Forres has also just completed a multi-million pound flood prevention scheme.