RESIDENTS have been giving their suggestions for the community’s future, including Gretna, if they are successful in getting Borderlands funding.
The ideas will be collated into a place plan to be submitted as a bid and they can also be used for other funds and grants should they arise.
So far, answers have included support for the Star of Caledonia, calls for the addition of a banking hub and a retirement home, backing for the renovation of St Andrew’s Church and calls for opportunities for business incubation. Springfield and Gretna Green Community Council discussed the Stormont Hall event at their meeting on Wednesday.
Chair Isabell Tranter said: “A lot of elderly people simply aren’t on social media, so events like these are very helpful.
“One commodity we have seen people clamouring for is assisted housing for the elderly.
“Older people living in family homes for years simply want to downsize to something more manageable while staying local.
“If we get local assisted housing through this scheme, it can free up the larger family homes for younger people to move into.”
Meanwhile, Annandale East and Eskdale Councillor Archie Dryburgh, has welcomed the local input and said: “Gretna is the gateway to Scotland, so improving it could lead to improvements across Dumfries and Galloway.
“I want to see my area thrive, create new things and enhance what we already have, but I cannot do it without support from the residents of Gretna.”
