Here is a summary of the LPP:

ESKDALEMUIR LOCAL PLACE PLAN 2025–2035

Our place. Our future. A two-minute read

What is a Local Place Plan?

Eskdalemuir is valued for its strong community spirit, beautiful landscape, wildlife, heritage and rural way of life. Our community spaces—particularly the Old School Hub and Café—help bring people together.

But residents have also raised concerns about the future of the area, including road safety, transport, land management, biodiversity and having a meaningful say in decisions that affect the valley.

The Eskdalemuir Local Place Plan brings these views together. It sets out what matters to our community and what we want to work towards over the next ten years.

What are our priorities?

1. Climate resilience and biodiversity

Protect and restore nature by encouraging native woodland, diverse habitats, wildlife corridors and better protection for local biodiversity. Prepare for challenges such as flooding and climate change.

2. Land stewardship and decision-making

Seek meaningful community involvement in decisions about land use, forestry, development and other activities that affect Eskdalemuir. Promote early, open communication and development that respects the area’s character and benefits local people.

3. Community facilities

Build on the strengths of the Old School Hub, community buildings and local groups. Explore opportunities for affordable local housing, community growing, support for residents of all ages and improved access to essential services.

4. Connection and accessibility

Work towards better public transport, safer walking and cycling routes, improved access to services and more reliable digital connectivity.

5. Road safety and maintenance

Seek better road surfaces, pothole repairs and drainage, safer conditions for pedestrians and cyclists, and action on concerns about speeding and heavy timber traffic.

6. Landscape and heritage protection

Safeguard Eskdalemuir’s distinctive landscape, archaeological sites, historic places, tranquillity and dark skies, while exploring opportunities for responsible tourism and education.

How will we make progress?

The plan provides a community-led framework for working with Dumfries and Galloway Council, landowners, public bodies, funders and other partners. Ideas and actions will need to be developed over time, with progress depending on factors including funding, feasibility and partnership working.

Our vision for 2035

A thriving, resilient and connected Eskdalemuir, where community life is strong, nature and heritage are protected, and local people have a meaningful voice in shaping the future.

This is our place and our future. The Local Place Plan sets out what we want to achieve together.