Portgordon Community Trust (PCT) recently revealed their five-year regeneration plan, presenting considerable opportunities for developers. The plan, highlighted during an open day event, intends to transition the village harbour into community ownership, moving it from the current proprietors, Crown Estate Scotland.

A notable project under PCT’s domain is the Richmond Building, previously the Richmond Arms pub. Purchased by the trust earlier this year, its first redevelopment phase has seen the establishment of community meeting spaces, class areas, rental spaces, and the Lampie Hoose community café. The open day gave a glimpse of the upcoming plans for phases 2 and 3, with the inclusion of a commercial kitchen in the hub and a transformation of the adjacent property into the Harbour Cottage, envisioned for both short and long-term rentals.

Furthermore, the village hall, situated across the square, has undergone significant renovations. Exterior repairs, fresh installations of windows, doors, toilets, disabled facilities, and upgrades to the heating and lighting systems have been implemented.

Derek Murray, PCT chairman, stressed the focus on the next stages of the Richmond Building community hub and emphasized the upcoming feasibility study about transferring the harbour’s ownership to the community. Although funding for the project remains unsecured, PCT aims to kickstart the initiative by 2024, given a successful bid.

The most ambitious phase, phase 3, envisions further redevelopment to accommodate a café and additional meeting spaces, slated for completion within the next two to three years.

On the longer-term front, PCT’s collaboration with Crown Estate Scotland remains strong. Their mutual goal is the harbour’s community ownership, and a tender for a new feasibility study to ensure its viability has been released, with findings expected between December of this year and July 2024.

Developers keen on participating in or learning more about the Portgordon community projects can access further details at the PCT’s official website.