The latest designs for Daisy Park – home of the famous Winchburgh Brickworks – have now been revealed for feedback, taking account of views from members of the local community and public bodies.
Daisy Park, which is part of the approved masterplan for Winchburgh, sits adjacent to the Union Canal and the new marina in the heart of the Winchburgh community.
As part of the plans, Winchburgh will welcome adventure waterpark operators, Wild Shore, to the site.
Wild Shore – which already operates in Dundee, Delamere (Cheshire), Liverpool and New Brighton – is set to develop a new facility within the park and create a major water-based visitor attraction, with opening planned for 2024. The people behind Wild Shore also operate Foxlake Adventures in East Lothian.
The park will become home to award-winning water adventure activities including cable wakeboarding, stand up paddleboarding, swimming and for the first time in Scotland – their unique floating ropes course over water – Aqua Chimp. The facilities will also include changing rooms and a café.
The designs for Daisy Park respect and reflect the historic brickworks as well as retaining major areas of biodiversity. It will also include a wild learning garden and viewing points across to the Forth bridges.
Daisy Park will become a central meeting place for everyone and provides connections across the whole of the community by footpaths and cycle paths. Connecting directly onto the Union Canal, it can be easily used as a stop-off for those cycling the wider canal network.
The project involves a seven-figure investment and will initially create up to 15 part-time and three full-time jobs, plus more in construction. Wild Shores prides itself on employing local talent, including young people, and the quality of the full training programme it provides to all staff.
Callum Mark, Director, Wild Shore, said: “We are delighted to announce our plans to create a brand-new site at Winchburgh, in the heart of an exciting and growing community. Wild Shore will bring its unique brand of water-based adventure activities and 5-star customer service to Daisy Park. We look forward to working with the schools and community alongside Winchburgh Developments over the next couple of years as the park is developed into an exciting and diverse space for all to enjoy. We pride ourselves in being able to deliver water activities to all within a safe and managed water environment, along with encouraging many more people to enjoy outdoor swimming in a safe way.”
John Hamilton, Chief Executive, Winchburgh Developments Ltd, commented: “There has been much excitement in Winchburgh over the last eight months about the plans for Daisy Park and I’m pleased to reveal the final designs and the plans to work with one of the UK’s most exciting waterpark operators, Wild Shore, to breathe life into the old quarry. Many of the locals still remember the brickworks when it was operational and it’s great that we can bring the old industrial site back to life with the help from the community.”
Members of the Wild Shore team will join Winchburgh Developments Ltd to show the community the plans for the park. After collating feedback an application will be made to West Lothian Council as planning authority.
Wild Shore Winchburgh will manage the quarry water under a 30-year agreement with Winchburgh Developments. It will be easily accessible within one hour for more than half of the Scottish population.
Spanning 352 hectares, Winchburgh is one of the largest placemaking projects currently underway in the UK delivering at least 3,800 homes, improved transport links, employment opportunities, schools and outdoor spaces.
Any enquiries should be directed to Penny Lochhead, Community, Sports and Greenspace Manager on 07802 500991 or [email protected].
Callum Mark, Director, Wild Shore Winchburgh, 07507 331535 [email protected]
The full design boards from the consultation can be seen at www.winchburghgreenspaces.co.uk