AN ACTION plan which outlines a vision for the future of Tranent and Elphinstone has been published.

Tranent and Elphinstone’s five-year Community Action Plan got a stirring send-off from about 80 guests at the launch event in The Fraser Centre, with residents, businesses, local community organisations, and county MP Fiona O’Donnell all in attendance.

The action plan – which has been formulated via the Coalfields Community Futures project following extensive community engagement in the area between September and January – will act as a guide to what the community wants to happen over the next five years.

Through community involvement, which included surveys, stakeholder meetings, stakeholder interviews and a community futures event, four main aspirations were developed. They were: l Tranent will have an attractive and busy town centre, improved shopping and social facilities and a sense of history and place; l Tranent and Elphinstone will be green, clean, active and healthy; l Facilities and services will have developed and be equipped to keep pace with the population growth; and, l There will be a strong sense of community, integration and pride.

Ward councillor Shamin Akhtar said: “We can be really proud of producing such a great action plan that outlines the aspirations of the local community.

“This has all been done by committed volunteers and support from the Coalfields Regeneration Trust (CRT), STAR Development Group and East Lothian Council.

“However, this is just the start and I am confident that the hard work will continue to take forward local priorities.” Ms O’Donnell added: “I was pleased to be able to attend the launch and was really impressed by the enthusiasm and interest displayed at the event.

“It’s clear that the Coalfields Regeneration Trust and all of the local people involved in the community consultation and development of the plan have worked incredibly hard to pull it together.

“I hope that it will help bring about real improvements over the next few years.” Already, work has started on forming a Tranent Traders Group, while there has been an improvement in the bus service from Elphinstone.

The action plan will help groups apply for funding for projects, with the steering group playing a co-ordinating role.

Thanks to the Coalfields Regeneration Trust’s £25,000 participator budget, a number of organisations in the area have been boosted by funding, including The Fraser Centre, Tranent & District Community Sports Club, Elphinstone Playgroup, Recharge youth facility and the Moyra McNeil Fund.

Nicky Wilson, Scottish trustee of the trust, who initiated the project through the Coalfields Community Futures programme, said: “The event had a great atmosphere, and that enthusiasm is reflected in the quality of the five-year Community Action Plan, which will make a huge difference to the area”.

Copies of the action plan are available from The Fraser Centre or the library.

in the George Johnstone Centre, or email tranentinfo@gmail.com