The Langholm Alliance
/The Langholm Alliance is an umbrella community partnership which came together to oversee the economic and social regeneration of the town.
With support from SCDC they have created a community plan which sets out ambitious priorities to make the town a better and prosperous place by 2030. SCDC have supported the Alliance to identify the priorities for the plan and to deliver the plan over the last 5 years. The plan is currently in its 2nd phase adding new and exiting developments like the takeover of Langholm Old School building – which will be used to take ownership of the building to establish Langholm as a dynamic rural centre for heritage, business, youth, arts, health and wellbeing.
The physical space of the Old School is an ideal catalyst and home for fulfilling the vision within the Action Plan. Also, the historic community land buy out of Tarras Valley Nature Reserve where the community successfully raised £6m to bring 10,500 acres of land into community ownership. The Tarra Valley will be developed for recreation, cultural activities, wellbeing, discovery and outdoor education and bring employment to the town.
Key learning points for the Supporting Communities programme so far are:
A good quality community plan which engages the whole community is a good way to galvanise the direction and resources of community groups.
The plan itself has been useful in attracting external resources to deliver on the priorities.
Community plans are not set in stone but should be seen as living documents which can be updated, added to, and revised as opportunities arise.
