Partnership paves way for new community facilities at Culbokie

A new focal point, Culbokie Green, has opened in the growing Black Isle village of Culbokie, where local amenities are set to be rolled out in the wake of a successful new homes development.

Tulloch Homes has sold 2 & 3 bedroom bungalows off plan at Glascairn Meadows and a tree-planting ceremony marked the start of Culbokie Community Trust’s first phase of their programme of new facilities. Only two homes remain for sale in the the quick selling development.

Tulloch has been a key partner, along with Sustrans, in developing an active travel route intended to link Culbokie Green to the rest of the village.

Richard Fyfe, chair of Culbokie Community Trust, said: "This is a unique partnership, working extremely well between Tulloch, Cairn, Sustrans and ourselves, a real model for the future.

“Culbokie Green, owned by the Trust but laid out by Tulloch, is contoured in a way that adds character to the village. We’ll be doing further tree planting and adding wildflower meadows by the Spring, plus benches and signs, an informal children’s play area, community orchard and a shelter with an open air table tennis table.

“The second phase, subject to funding, is to erect a Community Hub building, with café, which can also be used as a meeting room and can be used for multi-purpose local activities. A volunteer base, public toilets and a herb garden are also planned along with a car park and electric vehicle charging points.

“Things have really progressed this year and the tree-planting is a milestone. We wish to give every plaudit to Tulloch for being such helpful partners.”

A deal has been struck with Cairn Housing to build 14 affordable homes, six of which will be on land the Trust acquired under the Community Right To Buy scheme in 2015, which has been unlocked by the Tulloch development.

Local Highland councillor Jennifer Barclay said: ”It’s wonderful what has been created on that space, a real step forward for the Culbokie area thanks to an alliance of private sector and community. This kind of co-operation should be an example.

“There’s an active community in Culbokie, achieving something positive, while the new homes will further benefit the area.”

Kieran Graham, commercial director of Tulloch Homes, said: "The Trust have been a pleasure to work with and I’m sure their innovative efforts will further enhance the attraction of the village.

“We only started on site in April, with homebuyers snapping up all the two and three bedroom bungalows ahead of construction, which will be completed next June.

“This is one of those projects which becomes a success story all round and Culbokie and the Black Isle will be the big winners.”

Mr Fyfe and Trust board director Penny Edwards planted the tree to inaugurate Culbokie Green, watched by representatives of Ferintosh Community Council along with Trust volunteers.

Images shows, left to right, Trust chair Richard Fyfe and director Penny Edwards plant the first tree to inaugurate Culbokie Green, watched by Billy McKay, construction director, Tulloch Homes.