Plans for a £1 million creative business hub on the banks of Loch Leven have been given the green light from Perth and Kinross Council.
The 4100 square ft centre features sustainable zero carbon technologies and aims to provide a huge boost to the local economy.
Construction of the new innovative hub on Orwell Farm, located between Kinross and Wester Balgedie, is set to be completed in April 2021.
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Architect Studio LBA – who designed the facility - will be joined by British watch designer Marloe Watch Company as one of the first tenants.
Lynsay Bell, managing director at Studio LBA, said: “This is an extremely exciting project for us - creating a hub for other local businesses to thrive within - a community that can all work, grow and collaborate together within this rural hub.
“The existing agricultural setting and character has been a key influence in the designs, in terms of scale, form and materials.
“The aim is for the development to feel rural and not to lose its historic roots.
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“We always wanted to create a sustainable and environmentally conscious development, and this was really initiated at the design stage through the re-use of the existing agricultural buildings.
“Throughout construction, we are focused on minimising waste and using locally-sourced materials and trades.
“It is also important that the buildings are sustainable long term, so we are integrating zero carbon technologies, ground source and PV, meaning the heating and electricity to the farm is provided wholly through renewables.
“We are very excited to welcome Marloe to join us on this adventure.”
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Marloe Watch Company was launched via Kickstarter in 2015 by founders Oliver Goffe and Gordon Fraser. Since then, the company has gone from strength to strength, enjoying a 120 per cent increase in revenues in the last 12 months.
Oliver Goffe, co-founder of Marloe Watch Company, said: “The move to the new creative business hub will mean we have reached a goal we’ve been working to for the last five years – to bring assembly to the UK, investing in Scottish talent and the return of watch manufacturing to UK soil.
“Perth was the first choice for us - Gordon is from the area - and, as a brand with adventure at its heart, being close to the Scottish Highlands is ideal.”
