Situated to the east of the River Allan, overlooking the cathedral, Holmehill is an important landscape feature of this cathedral city. The site currently supports mature policy woodlands, as well as open areas of grass and scrub. A well-used path runs through the site and links the community on the east of Dunblane with the town centre. The trees and the hill are a prominent and important landscape feature of the town, providing a sense of place.
It is sited behind the Dunblane Development Trust's Braeport Centre, and as such the team at The Bank is supportive of the improvement proposals.
Feedback is being sought on the final stage of improvements.
Holmehill Community Buyout was formed in January 2005, when the hill was put up for sale by Hilton Hotels, the owners of the Dunblane Hydro hotel. The Hydro and Holmehill had been in common ownership for many years. The two properties stand on either side of the main road through Dunblane.
A local property development company bought the space. They made a number of applications to develop the hill, which were successfully resisted.
In June 2018 it was bought by a local charity, the Carman Family Foundation (CFF) Trust, which proposed to develop it as a resource for the community. It seemed clear that the basic aims would be met by the new charity, and the community group agreed that Holmehill Ltd (the registered name of Holmehill Community Buyout) should be dissolved. This closed a campaign that began on the 3rd of January 2005. Further info can be seen on Dunblane.info.
Following the purchase of the land from the development company, a public consolation was held at which views were gathered. A lot of ideas were recorded, but the main directions of travel were to provide better access for residents of Dunblane, keep it nature-focussed, create paths and build ponds.
Works undertaken since 2018:
We have seen an increased of community use on the site, such as nature play activities, orienteering, shows by The Rubber Chicken Theatre Company and the Santa Run.
The CFF now wish to complete the development of Holmehill. The final third is called the Braeport Meadow. It lies just above the Braeport Centre, gives good views over Dunblane and the cathedral. It is surrounded by steep banks on three sides, so is largely inaccessible.
After much consideration a plan was drawn up which has had planning permission granted and includes
The plans can be downloaded below.
Costs - the CFF are seeking grant funding to assist with the costs of this works, and as such community feedback is required (link below).
Maintenance the CFF have committed to providing maintenance costs for all the proposed works.
The CFF and Dunblane Development Trust are looking to gather feedback on the proposals, both to ensure that it is inline with community wants and also to provide required evidence for grants.