Plans are progressing for the enhancement of Kirrie Hill as part of the 150th anniversary celebrations of JM Barrie's birth.

Following detailed consultation and a meeting with interested residents on site, a planning application has now been lodged for exciting proposals to regenerate the popular Kirriemuir beauty spot.

As an area that has many links with Kirriemuir's most famous son, the improvements seek to encourage tourism, to protect and conserve the natural environment and to provide enhanced community facilities.

The proposals for consideration include:

• A Neverland Play Area which celebrates the Peter Pan story and is located in a new and safer location at the top of the hill
• Commemorating JM Barrie in the interpretation signs of the proposed heritage and nature trail
• Improving the general safety on the hill by limiting vehicles to the existing road up to the main car park - an adjacent new footpath will provide safe access from West Hill Road
• Making the route between the main car park and the Woodland Car Park (at the corner of East Hill and West Hill Road) a pedestrian, cyclist and horse riding use only route
• Creating a bespoke entrance feature at the main entrance to the park with the help of a community group in Kirriemuir
• Better directional signage to the facilities in the park
• Creating a lookout mound with spiral path and seating on the top to provide views of the Grampian and Sidlaw Hills

Other proposals include new picnic and barbecue areas, an outdoor classroom and path improvements to the pavilion and to the path between Roods and the hill. The plans also contain enhancement works to the BMX track by providing individual beginners and advanced cycle tracks.


Angus Council would like to gauge the public response to the range of proposed developments and anyone interested can view them in the Kirriemuir Library and Kirriemuir ACCESS Office. Full details of the proposals are also available from the planning and transport division in County Buildings, Forfar.

Any letters of representation with regards to the planning application should be forwarded by Tuesday 5 January 2010 to Angus Council, Planning & Transport Division, County Buildings, Market Street, Forfar DD8 3LG.

(GK/KMcA)