Green at the Heart of Planning
Enhancing the area’s natural beauty
The notion of a Country and Heritage Park at the heart of the project was one of the key points that arose from talking to local communities, and Orchard Brae is committed to making this the linchpin of the development, making it a place of national significance.
At the very heart of our proposal is the 155,2 ha park area, which covers 64 per cent of the overall development and includes a new state-of-the-art football complex, historic woodlands, trails and the canal.
Our ambition is to achieve an outward-looking, nationally important, rural visitor destination that interacts, informs and enhances its environment, breathing new life into underused green space, while actively improving the canal network for the benefit of all.
Orchard Brae believes that the project could create a sustainable landmark attraction that significantly widens usage, showcases and enhances existing natural assets, and celebrates the area’s industrial heritage.
The green masterplan includes the retention of the Woodhall and Faskine woodlands – and offers a huge opportunity to create a well-managed public space that will become one of Scotland’s most exciting new parks for all to enjoy.
The Country and Heritage Park, that will be formed as the hub of the proposed development, could ultimately lead to community ownership.
The rejuvenated parkland network will give locals a formalised open space to explore and enjoy, preserving the best of the landscape for future generations while providing better paths and lighting that will heighten safety for residents and visitors.
Orchard Brae is also working with Scottish Canals to invigorate and maximise the potential of the Monkland Canal and Calder Water, with improved walkways giving the public access to new leisure opportunities.
Fundamentally, the project’s aim is to complement and enhance the natural beauty of the site, not detract from it. It’s what makes this proposed development unique, and the proposals aim to realise the true potential of those wonderful existing assets.