A Plan for Peebles
Peebles Place Plan and Town Action Plan
The development of a Local Place Plan and complementary Town Action Plan for Peebles, delivered in collaboration with the client team, and based on the assessment of previous conversations that were expanded upon through a whole-town engagement programme
Peebles is a vibrant community, with a rich cultural heritage and a strong sense of local identity. Located 23 miles south of Edinburgh, Peebles is the largest town in the Scottish Borders, and is set amidst some of the finest scenery in southern Scotland. In 2023, volunteers from Peebles Community Trust, Peebles Community Council and Peebles Civic Society formed the Peebles Placemaking Team and developed a First Draft Town Action Plan 2023 - 2033, which included a series of initiatives to support and guide any future development in Peebles, based on outcomes from initial community engagement.
In 2024, thanks to funding from Scottish Borders Council, the Peebles Placemaking Team appointed New Practice through the Place Making Support Framework initiative, to provide support and further develop the Draft document into a Local Place Plan for Peebles - the Plan for Peebles.
The Plan for Peebles is a community-led vision which builds on local strengths, identifying initiatives and aspirations to promote a sustainable, inclusive and resilient town that meets the needs of all its community members.
New Practice rigorously tested the initial findings gathered by the Peebles Placemaking Team (PPT) through a blend of in-person events and digital engagement tools. A core focus of this phase was to shape the First Draft Town Action Plan into a clear, accessible format that would resonate with a wide range of community members and stakeholders. This approach ensured that everyone had the opportunity to contribute their views on the future priorities for Peebles. Youth engagement was a key element of the strategy, with targeted workshops delivered at the local high school to ensure young people had a voice in shaping the town’s future. This second round of engagement also served to build local awareness of the progress made by the client team to date.
In parallel, New Practice undertook a comprehensive audit of proposed initiatives to ensure their strategic alignment with local, regional, and national policy frameworks.
Drawing on this policy review and detailed analysis of engagement findings, we supported the PPT in creating a visually engaging and accessible Local Place Plan. The Plan for Peebles sets out a ten-year vision (2024–2034) co-developed with the local community. It includes both spatial proposals and broader non-spatial ambitions, all aimed at guiding the town’s development and land use in the years ahead.
The Plan for Peebles envisions a sustainable, resilient, and inclusive community that celebrates its rural context and rich culture while embracing future opportunities. Key initiatives focusing on sustainable development, improved infrastructure, and enriched community and economic services will ensure that Peebles remains a vibrant and attractive place to live, work, and visit. Community well-being is at the forefront, with commitments to expanding recreational facilities, fostering cultural activities, and ensuring equal access for everyone to essential services.
The Peebles Place Plan was registered as a Local Place Plan by SBC on 4 Feb 2025, and can be accessed here via the Peebles Placemaking Team website: Peebles Place Plan
Client: Peebles Place Making Team
Location: Peebles, Scottish Borders
Completion: 2024