Residents encouraged to attend “Community Conversation” in Stenness

A collaborative effort to increase community engagement in Stenness will take place on Tuesday 25 February from 2pm to 8pm in the Stenness Community School Hall.

Led by Stenness Community Association, the Community Conversation event will bring together Stenness Community Association, Orkney Islands Council, Historic Environment Scotland and Sustrans to discuss key projects and opportunities in the area with residents.

The format of the event involves individual stalls attended by representatives of each organisation set out in the hall, with a central area where attendees can sit and have more in-depth discussions and a refreshment.

This combined event aims to:

• Reduce “consultation fatigue” and make community engagement more accessible.
• Collect comprehensive feedback across multiple initiatives.
• Strengthen the understanding of the needs and aspirations of those who live, work and/or visit the area.
• Encourage a joined-up approach to planning, infrastructure, and connectivity.

Key topics include:

• Stenness Community Association sharing the draft Local Place Plan for comment.
• Stenness Outdoor Community Space project unveiling the Stenness playpark renovation plans and timeline for the first time and gathering views on the feasibility design of the outdoor space.
• Orkney Islands Council and Historic Environment Scotland discussing the Orkney World Heritage Site Programme and the opportunities this brings. This includes looking at a path network between the village and the World Heritage Site, and a potential Orientation Centre.
• Orkney Islands Council with information on the development of a School Travel Plan for Stenness that is looking at how children travel safely to and from school.
• The first chance to comment on the new draft Management Plan for the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site. Historic Environment Scotland and OIC are consulting on a ten-year framework to guide its protection and management.
• Sustrans are completing work to assess the feasibility of an active travel route from Kirkwall to Stromness. The aim of this route will be to allow for safe walking, wheeling and cycling. They are keen to find out where local people would like to be able to walk, wheel and cycle, as well as any opportunities to help make a traffic-free route a reality.

Secretary of Stenness Community Association, Barbara Scollay, emphasised the importance of participation:

“This event is a fantastic opportunity for residents to shape the future of Stenness. It’s a chance to voice opinions, share ideas, and collaborate on ways to improve our peedie yet strong community. With so many key projects on the horizon and many organisations involved, I would highly encourage anyone interested to come along and participate to help keep the views of our community at the centre of any plans and initiatives.”

For more information, please contact stennessca@gmail.com or send Stenness Community Association a message via their Facebook page.