Parking in Doune

Availability of parking in Doune is a somewhat long-term issue. While its effects are easily seen (or experienced), it’s a complex issue that can be difficult to quantify.

What parking is available right now in Doune?

Staff parking

What is driving demand for parking in Doune?

• Resident’s parking
• Locals accessing services and businesses
• Visitors to attractions and businesses
• People working in Doune (whether based in the village or visiting trades and services)

One way to increase availability of existing capacity is by reducing demand from these groups. 

But, without suitable alternatives to driving (and in turn parking) simply reducing demand can risk unintended side-effects to the local population or businesses.

Improvements that the Walk & Cycling and Public Transport topics are putting forward have the potential to provide alternative options.

But, there are no guarantees when any of those improvements would happen and the exact effect they’d have to reduce demand. Even if they did reduce existing demand, any benefits could be outstripped by an unexpected increase in demand from elsewhere.

Will new parking at the Green Shed site help?

When complete, the Green Shed site will provide 34 new regular spaces, this represents a 40% increase of regular marked bays. It will also have 2 disabled spaces, 4 motorhome spaces, standing area for 16 motorbikes and 4 electric vehicle charging points (the community’s first public charging stations).

The effects it will have on parking the centre of Doune won’t be known until it is open. Even if the effects are positive, Doune will still have a parking challenge, as:

• there is no official coach parking; and,
• there is not enough space for future vehicle charging needs, when approximately one third of village households don’t have their own driveway.

Are there any potential sites?

A number of sites are identified on the map below. Each will bring their own complexities, and may not be possible technically, legally (e.g. ownership) or financially.

That is okay­—we don’t need to have all the answers right now. We’re looking at ten years ahead for the Community Plan.

The purpose of this exercise is to interrogate potential sites that have been suggested, and identify their pros and cons.

By doing this a best (or perhaps least worst) option might emerge. Which means if (post-Green Shed) the need for further parking development can be demonstrated we are closer to creating a solution.

Potential Site Index

A: Field north of Moray Park

B: Kirkyard behind old church

This idea would involve moving graves (last internment mid 19th century) to another cemetery before site could be used.

C: Old parish church

This idea would involve demolition of old church building, except listed clock tower, to create a site

D: Primary School

This idea would involve the construction of a new two-storey primary school on a smaller footprint, to create space for an expanded shared car park.

E: By Cricket Field

This idea would require careful surface treatment to not disturb the site of the Roman Fort which has scheduled monument status.

F: Private land behind existing Castlehill Car Park