Tillydrone Community Development Trust

Tillydrone Community Development trust was set up by residents to help provide facilities and regeneration to the area and its community.
Our main projects are based around the Tillydrone entrance to Seaton Park and are; The Benholms Tower Project to reclaim and reopen the currently derelict Wallace Tower ( also known as Benholms Lodgings)'
The Benholms Gateway Project to create a fully accessible, sensory play trail through the upper part of Seaton Park from the tower towards the Cathedral Gate.
More information on each of these projects can be found below.


Benholms Tower.
The building known as the Wallace Tower ( or more properly Benholms Lodgings) was built in the 1600's just outside the city limits as a fortified townhouse and stood on what became the Netherkirkgate. In the 1960's, with the development of city centre shopping, Marks and Spencers got permission to build their current branch in town and Lord marks paid for the historic tower to be dismantled and moved to its current location in Tillydrone overlooking the entrance to Seaton Park. The tower has been derelict for nearly 30 years and TCDT intend to bring it into community ownership, and to create a multi functional facility with community cafe, exhibition and meeting space and a co-working hub/office or artist space for local groups and individuals.

Progress: A Community Asset Transfer has been completed and TCDT now own the building on behalf of the community; planning and building warrants have been approved and a contractor has been appointed. Fundraising has been successful to date with around £470,000 raised from the expected £650,000 total cost.

Benholms Gateway

Benholms Gateway is a project looking to introduce new facilities and opportunity to the environs of Seaton park. With the advantage of the cafe and toilet facilities provided by the tower and taking inspiration from the Princess Diana Memorial gardens in Kensington we intend to create a sensory trail from the Tower down through the park to the Cathedral gate.
This sensory trail will encompass a range of light and sound play equipment, tactile chainsaw carvings and work with the Seaton Park Friends group and Gardeners to develop complimentary planting to create an accessible to all play area, encouraging everyone from across the community to take advantage of our wonderful green spaces.
Progress:
This will involve adding facilities to the public park so no ownership or legal actions are required. The plans for equipment have been robustly planned and tested with a number of consultees (including public consultation) and fundraising has commenced with just over £35000 raised of an expected £130,000 total.