We have been engaging with four pilot communities to develop their understanding of their locally important heritage assets. We ran workshops, in partnership with Glic, to help each community to shape and produce a Local Resilience Plan, which they are now in the process of delivering aspects of to better protect and enhance those assets. As a result, locally important heritage assets will be more resilient to change and have a greater local standing.
One of our Local Resilience Plan workshops in Hawkhill. Pic by Inner Forth Futures.
The Inner Forth’s diverse heritage creates a rich fabric of place, purpose and belonging for the area’s communities.
As part of the new Scottish planning system, introduced by the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019, communities are now offered the opportunity to feed into the planning system by creating Local Place Plans, containing proposals for the development and use of land within their local area.
As a result, there is an opportunity to ensure that heritage is seen as a key asset for communities in the development of local resilience and that they have opportunities to discuss and identify what climate change will mean for their important local heritage. Creating heritage-focused Local Resilience Plans (as a step before a Local Place Plan) will empower communities by involving them in local decision and plan-making processes. In turn, this has the potential to increase both the resilience of their local heritage - and of their own community.
The process of co-developing and delivering heritage-focused Local Resilience Plans, with participatory budgets, has been piloted within the communities of Hawkhill (Clackmannanshire), Fallin (Stirling), Bainsford & Langlees (Falkirk), and Kincardine (Fife). Each community has already been guided through the co-design of their local resilience plan, all of which can be downloaded here:
Following a participatory budgeting process, which took place in October/November 2024, Climate FORTH is now working with each community to deliver the top two actions for each community, with £45,000 of funding split between the four areas.
HAWKILL
We've started work with Hawkhill Community Association to establish their 'Mini Farm' and practical training area for local people. With a polytunnel and raised beds for growing their own produce, this community are looking forward to the start of the next growing season.
In addition, with the support of Hawkhill Community Association, works are commencing at RSPB Black Devon Wetlands reserve. These include wetland enhancement, path improvements and the installation of new interpretation boards.
FALLIN
We will be working with The Alpha Centre Community Group to install energy and water reduction infrastructure. At Fallin Church Hall, we will be installing a renewable heating system and ensuring the energy efficiency of the building.
Stay tuned for more updates from Fallin!
BAINSFORD & LANGLEES
Bainsford Community Hall have had new solar batteries installed for Solar PV storage. Meanwhile, at Dawson Park, solar path lighting was fitted in November 2025, to brighten the space after dark and increase use of the space.
KINCARDINE
Works are progress to increase the accessibility of Kincardine's path networks and this is being taken forward by Kincardine Community Council.
The second action in the PB Voting involved the community centre, which unfortunately is closed for the foreseeable future. Community consultation will be re-starting soon to choose a new action.
New solar batteries for the Solar PV storage were funded in Bainsford and Langlees. Pic by Inner Forth Futures.
Raised beds at Hawkhill's mini farm will be used to grow produce for the cafe at the community centre and for those in the local area. Pic by Inner Forth Futures.
Community workshops took place to find out what was important to them from a heritage standpoint. Pic by Inner Forth Futures.
More workshops and more voting, this time in Kincardine. Pic by Inner Forth Futures.
Get Involved
Contact Ella.Duffield@rspb.org.uk with any enquiries about this activity.
Project Location
Funded by
This project is part-funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund via Fife Council, Stirling Council, Falkirk Council and Clackmannanshire Council, plus crowdfunding from participating communities.
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