Cupar Youth Session to feed into new Local Place Plan

Kevin Murray Associates (KMA) recently led an important youth session to provide inputs for a new model Local Place Plan.

The Cupar Development Trust (CDT) is currently in the process of preparing a Local Place Plan, and one of their key aims is to ensure that young people’s views are properly considered and reflected in future policy development and action in the town.

Current young citizens – and future adults – have an important role in studying, advising and planning the future of their place. The Scottish Government’s legislation advises that their feedback should help inform Local Place Plans, and CDT are keen to ensure that local young people feel heard and engaged.

CDT commissioned KMA to plan and facilitate a one-day session with young people from Bell Baxter High School, exploring and reviewing the town centre from their perspective, considering how it works for them now and how it could be improved the future. KMA had previously done similar youth sessions in Fife at Glenrothes and Cowdenbeath.

KMA Director, Kevin Murray said that ‘youth engagement requires a sensitive, multi- faceted approach to get the best from local young people, particularly so in a post Covid context. Our students from Bell Baxter High did very well, and we believe there are many great planning and placemaking ideas in their proposals.’

Our sincere thank you goes to Cupar Development Trust, Cupar YMA, Bell Baxter High School, Cupar Youth Café, and all the young people, parent and youth workers who participated with us. There is certainly great content for the Local Place Plan.