A landfill reclamation project on the edge of Winchburgh, West Lothian, has won the UK’s Best Sustainable/Urban Regeneration/Infrastructure Scheme at the Environmental Analyst’s Brownfield Awards.
Winchburgh Developments Ltd’s (WDL) placemaking project is providing 3,800 new homes, improved transport links, employment opportunities, schools, and new outdoor spaces.
The award, which is shared between WDL and the consultant team of Sweco and Optimised Environments, along with contractor I&H Brown, recognises the project’s innovative use of an abandoned landfill site to deliver a new 85-acre district park.
John Hamilton, chief executive of WDL, said, “The innovative reimagining of the former Auldcathie landfill site with sustainable goals at its heart, shows just what can be achieved when we think outside the box about Brownfield sites. Now more than ever, as we race towards net zero as an industry, we need placemaking projects like Winchburgh where communities are involved from the very earliest stage to shape the future homes and public green spaces they want to live alongside.
“We are delighted that our team, along with our development partners have received this national recognition. It’s been fantastic to see the results of our labour being enjoyed by our communities and visitors from further afield. The creation of the Auldcathie District Park has provided the growing community in Winchburgh and surrounding areas with a new public green space.”
The site sits adjacent to the West Lothian Council’s new shared education campus and sports facilities. The local authority has styled the new campus ‘the schools in the park,’ as it provides direct access to pupils from the campus sports fields into the new park with open links extending outdoor recreation and learning opportunities.
The park, which is part of the masterplan for Winchburgh, is fully funded by WDL, with over £8 million invested to date. It has been designed in consultation with the community of Winchburgh and now includes a community growing area, community woodland, play area, a dog park and areas for walking and cycling.
The award judges said: “This project is an impressive example of bringing an abandoned site back to effective reuse. The project clearly benefits the surrounding area and provide a sustainable solution to a common problem.”
