A group of dignitaries have visited the location of a proposed eco-therapy wellness park at the site of the former Barony Colliery near Auchinleck in East Ayrshire.
Local council candidates as well as representatives from Auchinleck Community Council, Auchinleck Community Development Initiative, and Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce heard more about the proposals for the area.
Barony Wellness is being progressed by Barony NP (UK) Limited, a joint venture company between National Pride UK Community Interest Company (CIC) and investor ESE Capital.
Subject to consent, the 108.8-acre site will provide health and mental relaxation facilities. The project is dedicated to developing an ‘ecologically friendly and environmentally sensitive’ health and wellbeing destination.
The visitors learned about the ecological damage currently being done to the site through anti-social behaviour such as fly-tipping and motorbike activity. Restorative action is being taken to protect wildlife and ensure public safety, as well as aiming to prevent further abuse of the site.
Irene Bisset, chair of National Pride UK, said, “We were delighted to welcome our guests here today so we could outline our exciting proposals for Barony Wellness to them. As custodians of the site, it is deeply disappointing to see the damage that is being done to the site and the impact on the natural landscape as well as on potential visitor safety.
“It was good therefore to be able to outline how we intend to address this, and we would urge the community to be vigilant and highlight to the Police or ourselves any nuisance or damage caused. As a Community Interest Company, we have the delivery of community benefit at our core and it was also good to be able to outline the considerable economic benefits, including employment opportunities, that Barony Wellness has the potential to deliver.
“Throughout the process we have engaged extensively with the local community and the support we have received for our proposals to date has been amazing.”
Bobby McCallum, vice-chair of Auchinleck Community Development Initiative, added, “It was fabulous to visit the site and hear about what is being proposed, especially when it comes to the ecological benefits it will deliver. If consented, Barony Wellness will clearly provide some marvellous opportunities for the local community, delivering employment and training opportunities, as well as generating considerable investment. This is a win-win for the local area and one that we should grab with both hands.”
