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 aims to rejuvenate the former St Ninians open cast mine site to deliver an eco-therapy wellness and leisure park.
The original site of 376 hectares was purchased from Hargreaves Land in March 2021. The purchase of Thornton Wood adds a further 18.84 hectares to the land area.
Located near Kelty and Kingseat, the 976-acre site will aim to promote health and wellness as well as deliver a leisure, entertainment, and tourism destination.
Early concept proposals include accommodation units, a spa complex on Loch Fitty, and a technology park.
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 guests with views over the landscape.
Irene Bisset from National Pride Ltd said, “We are excited to add Thornton Wood to our portfolio as it enables the full potential of the area to be realised. It also greatly enhances the potential of the wider St Ninians development project.
“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.”
Andy Whitlock, technical director, added, “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. It also allows refinement of the overall project plan allowing more of nature to be incorporated between the proposed built areas to realise a carbon zero plus eco-friendly development.”
Phil Rayson, regional director of Hargreaves Land, commented, “We are delighted to help facilitate the transfer of Thornton Wood to National Pride Ltd and assist them in their delivery of a fantastic tourism and leisure development which will produce significant benefits to both local and wider communities in Fife.”
