Gatehouse Development Initiative
The Gatehouse Development Initiative exists for the benefit of the Gatehouse Community and provides a framework for the development of projects within the community.
Originally formed by the Community Council as a fundraising arm, it was converted to a charitable company which brought additional benefits in fundraising powers and legal protection for members. The Initiative continues to work closely with the Community Council.
Amongst a range of benefits, the GDI can save smaller projects the need to be formally established in their own right, can provide support with fundraising, provide insurance, indemnity cover and public liability cover, and provide book-keeping/accountancy services.
Current Projects
Community Housing
To address the lack of affordable housing in Gatehouse we plan to transform the former Woodside garage site into 7 community-owned homes, available to local workers at an affordable rent.
Dry Stone Heritage Cultural Route
This project involves working with a group of European partners on the development of a Council of Europe Cultural Route focused on dry stone heritage.
Garries Park Play Area/Changing Places Facility
This project is now complete and provides a Changing Places facility ( specialist unit for special needs) and a new play park which includes accessible play equipment in Garries Park.
Gatehouse Red Squirrel Group
A local group linked into a wider network of local groups and agencies working to preserve our native red squirrels and protect as far as possible against the incursion of grey squirrels.
Community Newsletter
The Gatehouse News, our community newsletter aims to publish four or five times a year. It is currently paused as more support is needed to make it viable.
School Playing Field/MUGA
A community sports facility based at the primary school and available to local groups outwith school hours.
Fleet Valley Volunteers
This group meets weekly on Wednesday mornings to undertake maintenance work on local paths and public areas around the town and throughout the Fleet Valley.
Community Website
The community website – this website – is maintained through the GDI.
Wheels of Fleet
The very successful community cycling project based at the Mill on the Fleet supporting everything to do with cycling.
A75 Greenway
A project to develop an off-road track for pedestrians and cyclists west of Gatehouse as far as Carsluith. The A75 is a highly dangerous and unpleasant option for pedestrians and cyclists and the project aims to provide a safe alternative
Meetings and Minutes of the Gatehouse Development Initiative
Meetings of the Initiative are held every other month on the first Wednesday of the month: February, April, June, August, October, December. Meetings are at 7.30pm and generally open to all. The normal venue is The River Room at The Mill on the Fleet (April-October) and the Parish Church Hall (December and February).
GDI Trustees
Chair: Francois van der Zee
Francois is a self-employed local entrepreneur with over 40 years of experience in retail, finance, manufacturing, and import/export. He runs a local retail and postal business and supplies greeting cards across Southwest Scotland. A former National President of Round Table Central Africa, he is Chair of the GDI and Deputy Chair of the Gatehouse Community Council. He is actively involved in community life.
Treasurer: Peter Taylor
Peter holds a BA in Philosophy from the University of London and has worked in project and policy management for BT, the Home Office, and the Civil Service, including a role as Associate Director at the London Development Agency. Since moving to Gatehouse in 2014, he has been Treasurer of the Gatehouse Development Initiative, Chair of the Gatehouse Community Centre, and Treasurer of the local Royal British Legion Scotland branch.
Secretary: Ken Smyth
Ken studied at Edinburgh University and Edinburgh College of Art in the 1970s and early 80s. He worked as a graphic designer and illustrator for over 30 years while continuing to paint. Now retired he continues to paint and is involved with many community projects supporting community development, history and heritage. He was Chair of The Mill on the Fleet for many years and provides design support to many community projects.
Ian Carson
Ian has lived in Gatehouse of Fleet for over 20 years. Now retired, he was the owner and managing director of a local company manufacturing and assembling parts for the commercial vehicle industry. He was involved in numerous research and development projects within the business, specialising in process development and innovation. His interests include cycling and domestic renewables.
Tarena Dickie
Tarena is a part time hair stylist and a director at Kota Developments Ltd, a family-run construction business. Since joining the GDI in 2019 she has managed three successful projects to enhance local outdoor provision for young people, raising over £500,000 in the process to provide a new play park, an all-weather MUGA sports pitch, a Changing Places facility and an accessible play park.
David Steel
David has an MA and PhD from the University of St Andrews and worked as an economist and policy adviser for the White Fish Authority and the European Parliament. He returned to Gatehouse in 1999, and was chairman of the Gatehouse Development Initiative for many years, retiring in 2024. He served 18 years on the Children’s Panel and is also a researcher for the Kirkcudbright Galleries website.
Sara-Leigh Cain