Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Community park hub will ‘enhance’ area says firm
Four parkland areas planned
The company behind the controversial EuroPark project has attempted to ease concerns over its impact on greenbelt land by insisting a proposed country and heritage park will be “at the very core” of the development.
Orchard Brae’s “green master plan” for the housing, retail and business development between Calderbank and Carnbroe includes the retention of the Woodhall and Faskine woodlands.
The company claims the country and heritage park that would be formed as the hub of the proposed development will ultimately lead to community ownership.
Subject to planning permission, four new distinct areas of parkland will be created across the site’s considerable retained green space – amounting to 55 per cent of the entire site – with ponds, river, woodlands and the canal becoming focal points.
These areas include Monkland Canal, North Calder, Woodland Estate and Community parks with a “rejuvenated parkland network” giving residents 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 new and existing users”.
Orchard Brae is also working with Scottish Canals to “invigorate and maximise the potential of the Monkland Canal and Calder Water”, with pontoons on the canal and improved walkways giving the public access to new leisure opportunities.
Scott Gillespie, director of Orchard Brae Ltd, told the Advertiser: “Fundamentally, we want to complement and enhance the natural beauty of the site, not detract from it.
“It’s what makes this proposed development unique and we want to realise the true potential of those wonderful existing assets.
“With that in mind, and as part of our commitment to being ‘green at heart’, we have outlined plans to create a country and heritage park at the very core of the development.
“Currently, much of the site remains underused and un-managed – and we are keen to work with local communities to help maintain and harness what’s best about it.
“Furthermore, the EuroPark plans would open the site up to new usage, encouraging interaction with the natural environment, creating wider leisure opportunities, and promoting greater wellbeing for current and future residents.
“The development will, in fact, present the opportunity for more people than ever before to enjoy this parkland as it will become significantly more accessible.
“We believe it will also encourage visitors to travel from further afield to enjoy walking and exploring the many forest paths that run adjacent to the Monkland Canal.”
Last week we reported that protesters submitted a 3000-signature petition against the plans to MSPs participating in a parliamentary debate on the proposed development.
And Dr Ann Glen of the Save Woodhall and Faskine action group (SWAF) hit out at Orchard Brae’s green- themed plan, labelling it “a prescription for fragmentation and destruction of our unique green places on a grand scale”.
Dr Glen said: “These places have been green since the end of the Ice Age; Orchard Brae borrow our [SWAF’s] phrases and we now have ‘green heartland’ popping up among them.
“The proposal would lead to massive loss of habitats and the biodiversity of birds, animals and much else.
“There is lack of proper respect for the Monkland Canal; it is not of a dimension suitable for watersports, but a wonderful wildlife corridor – if left undisturbed.
“As for the ‘estate park’, if such property speculators were allowed free range, there would be houses on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle.
“Is there no proper respect for our history and heritage? Forget ‘artworks’, nature does it better.
“Yes, we want a country park, but not on Orchard Brae’s terms.
“We hope that local communities will own the land and run the show; not see profits sucked out by speculators.”