Seal of approval for new outdoor centre
Woodland setting for a range of fitness activities
Plans for a new outdoor fitness centre in the Carron Valley have been given the go-ahead.
Former soldier Joe Davidson, who lives in Dunblane, is now set to open the business in Bowie Wood near Auchenbowie later this year after Stirling Council conditionally approved his planning application for the site 220 metres south east of Craigend House.
The centre will offer a range of fitness classes including yoga, jogging and walking as well as a range of other cardio workouts using natural resources found in the woodland setting.
Joe ( 44) served for 12 years throughout the world as a soldier, then a further four years as a private close protection contractor.
His life dramatically changed, however, when he was seriously injured in a training accident in Iraq while looking after American Army engineers working on reconstruction projects.
“He suffered a serious spinal injury which resulted in two spinal operations and hundreds of hours of rehabilitation.
Since then, however, he has set out to put the training and fitness techniques that helped him overcome his injury to wider use, offering fitness classes through a small business called Para PT, and now hopes the centre will help him encourage others to form a love of fitness and the outdoors.
Joe said: “Now the hard work really begins. With the help, guidance and support from local wildlife and environmental groups, I hope to enhance the rural setting, encourage biodiversity and get the woods thriving again.
“I hope to be open for business later this year and look forward to welcoming visitors to Bowie Wood to enjoy the setting, learn about bush craft and nature, and improve their fitness and wellbeing at the same time.
“I’m sure that the centre will become a welcome addition to the vibrant Carron Valley community and I look forward to working with them over the coming weeks and months.”
Among conditions attached to the approval of the application are that upgrading should be carried out to an existing access to the site and a passing place created on Craigend Road before the centre can start operating.
Carron Valley Community Council had expressed some concerns about access and visual impact, while the Scottish Wildlife Trust (Stirling) had asked that conditions be attached to any approval to help protect the ecology of the site.
Some locals, however, had also sent supportive comments to council planners, including Steven Scott of Cambusbarron, who said: “I run, walk and cycle in this area. The crags looking over the North Third attract all types of outdoor enthusiasts. In the whole, outdoor enthusiasts are generally law- abiding and environmentally conscious and any type of business that attracts this type of clientele should be welcomed. Encouraging people to partake in outdoor fitness and education in this day should be welcomed.
“This location is close enough to a road network to allow people to enjoy the rural setting without driving many miles.”
The public will be able to hear more about the Bowie Wood Outdoor Fitness Centre plans at the Valley Renewables Group Open Day on August 27, which runs from 2- 4pm at Craigend Farm, Auchenbowie.