National Pride has expanded its proposed development at St Ninians and Loch Fitty in Fife, with the purchase of Thornton Wood from Hargreaves Land.
The organisation proposes to repurpose the former St Ninians open cast mine site to deliver an Eco-Therapy Wellness and Leisure Park.
The original site of 930 acres was purchased from Hargreaves Land in March and the purchase of Thornton Wood adds a further 46.55 acres.
Located next to junction four of the M90, near the villages and communities of Kelty and Kingseat, the combined 976-acre site aims to deliver a leisure, entertainment and tourism destination.
Early concept proposals include accommodation units, a wellness spa complex on Loch Fitty and a technology park among areas set aside for guest entertainment.
Buildings will be blended into ecology sanctuaries, using existing landscape contours to minimise any impact on existing wildlife in the development’s construction.
New observation areas on the former Fife Earth Project landform structures, created by artist Charles Jencks - and known locally as the ‘walnut whips’ - will provide views over the local landscape.
National Pride stated that it will incorporate the aims of the Fife Council Strategic Plan, while also committing to reinvest 10% net profits into community projects.
Irene Bisset, co-founder of National Pride, commented: “We are excited to add Thornton Wood to our portfolio as it enables the full potential of the area to be realised.
“Our plans are always under review and are maturing to deliver a project that is beneficial to the area in terms of employment and increasing the local community’s economic strength.”
Technical director Andy Whitlock explained: “Our latest acquisition expands access to the B914 and Junction 4 of the M90, addressing potential local traffic management issues which would otherwise be problematic to a development project of this size.”
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