Peterhead 2040 Partnership Place Plan

What you told us

Our survey asked people across Peterhead, St Fergus, Boddam, Longhaven and Cruden Bay to share their experiences, priorities and hopes for the future by telling us what matters most within the four Peterhead 2040 vision themes. We invited you to rate what’s important and tell us why, highlight any challenges or gaps, and to describe how you’d like our places to look and feel by 2040. Your responses are now helping shape the priorities and actions for the Peterhead Partnership Place Plan which will be published in 2026.

Vision Theme - Blue & Green Natural Spaces

Peterhead and its surrounding landscapes are thriving with blue and green natural capital - where the coastline, Ugie River, parks, and countryside are cherished and accessible to all. These natural spaces are at the heart of a resilient community, supporting wellbeing, biodiversity, and a sustainable future for generations to come.

• Over 93% of you said this is a top priority.

Your responses told us that Peterhead and its surrounding areas of blue and green spaces are one of our biggest assets and strengths and should be a top priority for the future. People want to see better looked after natural areas, safer and more connected walking and cycling routes, and improved access to the coastline, parks and paths. The feedback showed overwhelming support for protecting and enhancing these spaces so they can be enjoyed by everyone now and in the future.

Vision Theme - Skills, Education & Enterprise

Peterhead and the surrounding area is a place where everyone can access learning and skills that prepare them for the future. It is a community that nurtures enterprise, values innovation, and celebrates the vital role of people working across all sectors in building a thriving, inclusive economy.

• 98% agreed this is an important priority.

Your responses told us that Skills, Education & Enterprise is a major priority for the future. People highlighted limited evening activities, a lack of local opportunities for learning and training, and the need for more support for small businesses and enterprises. Many said they want to see more accessible courses, better facilities, and vibrant places for young people and adults to learn, work and develop their skills. Overall, the feedback showed very strong support for improving opportunities that help people thrive and boost the local economy.

Vision Theme - Living Well Locally

Peterhead and the surrounding area is a place where everyone can live well, with easy access to the services, activities, and resources they need. It’s a connected and inclusive community where people feel empowered to take part in local life, move around safely, and choose how they travel.

• Almost 97% identified this as essential for the future.

Your responses told us that living well locally is essential for the future. Many people raised concerns about everyday issues such as unreliable or expensive transport, challenges accessing key services, and feeling less safe in parts of the town centre. They also highlighted the need for better local facilities, improved health and wellbeing support, and easier ways to move around the area. Overall, the message was clear: people want to feel connected, supported and safe within their own communities.

Vision Theme - Heritage, Townscape & the Built Fabric

Peterhead and its surrounding communities are places of pride, where the rich heritage, historic townscape, and unique character of neighbourhoods and villages are celebrated. The built environment is well cared for, creating spaces that feel safe, welcoming, and rooted in local identity.

• Over 91% supported strengthening the look, feel, and identity of Peterhead.

Your responses told us you want Peterhead to feel safer, more attractive and more welcoming, both during the day and in the evenings. People highlighted concerns about the appearance of the town centre, the condition of some buildings and public spaces, and the need to make more of the area’s unique heritage. Many said they would like to see better lighting, cleaner streets, improved public areas, and a stronger sense of place that celebrates Peterhead’s history and identity. Overall, the feedback showed strong support for revitalising the townscape and strengthening pride in the area.

What we're doing

We’re now using your responses from the survey to shape the first draft of the Peterhead Partnership Place Plan, making sure it reflects what really matters to local people. Your responses are important because they tell us where change is needed, what’s working well, and where partners should focus their efforts. By sharing your experiences and ideas, you’re helping us set clear priorities, agree actions with local services and organisations, and make informed decisions that will improve life across Peterhead and its surrounding communities.

One of the key ways we are doing this is by bringing partners together through a series of partnership sessions, which enable us to work through what you told us, agree shared priorities, and explore how we can take these forward collectively. By looking at your feedback alongside local data and evidence, we’ll build a clearer picture of what matters most to communities, what the facts show, and where the biggest opportunities for positive change lie. This partnership approach will guide the development of a well informed, practical Partnership Place Plan that reflects your experiences and supports meaningful action across Peterhead and the surrounding area.

You can view the original project here: Peterhead 2040 Partnership Place Plan | Engage Aberdeenshire