Falkirk Council and British Waterways Scotland
collaborated as partners to take forward the masterplan application
for this exciting development and have chosen the Portdownie brand
to reflect the local historic name by which the canal basin is
known. It was well received by the local community during the
consultation phase.
To coincide with the announcement of the Portdownie name, a new
website Portdownie.com has also
been developed to provide more information, background and
to show the opportunities for the expansive canal side site to
potential developers and the local community.
The announcement of the name and new website are recognised as
key milestones by British Waterways and Falkirk Council and will be
the platform for developers and other interested parties to access
information about the project.
The Portdownie development is part of the continuing wider
process to revitalise the Forth & Clyde canal corridor, which
will include iconic regeneration projects such as the Lottery £43m
Funded Helix project and the Rosebank Distillery.
Cllr Adrian Mahoney, Convener of Economic Strategy and
Development said:
'We have big aspirations to see this area transformed into a
vibrant community with new jobs, properties and businesses created
in an attractive setting.
'The canal offers great development opportunities for this
natural resource as well as providing a fabulous leisure attraction
with the marina and open spaces that it will offer.
'As part of our brief to regenerate our area under the My
Future's In Falkirk strategy, Portdownie will see the creation of
jobs and boosted economic prospects locally when delivered.
'We are still at an early stage of the project but we have
already allocated £100,000 to facilitate taking this project
forward and are currently working how this project can be
delivered.'
Steve Dunlop, Director, British Waterways
Scotland:
"Portdownie is a hugely exciting development for Falkirk and it
will really maximise the value and potential of The Falkirk Wheel
and the Forth & Clyde Canal. Once complete, it will offer the
full choice of homes, as well as some excellent waterside
opportunities for commercial enterprises.
"Most importantly, whilst Portdownie will occupy a unique
setting close to The Falkirk Wheel and by the revitalised canal, it
is not a development in isolation. It also benefits from being part
of a wider, integrated and long-term placemaking initiative we are
progressing along the greater canal corridor between Grangemouth
and The Falkirk Wheel in partnership with Falkirk Council.
"This corridor long placemaking project is already breathing
real vitality into the area. The vast new parkland and waterside at
The Helix between Grangemouth and Falkirk, for example, is
beginning to take shape and we are advancing with our plans for the
listed Rosebank Distillery which occupies a gateway position into
Falkirk town centre. Altogether, this means that there is a
growing high quality amenity in the greater Falkirk and Grangemouth
area and this will only be to the benefit of residents and local
businesses taking up occupation at Portdownie once the development
is complete."
The plan for Portdownie, which lies to the west of Falkirk town
centre, also supports My Future's In Falkirk, the ten year economic
regeneration plan for the town and the Falkirk Council area.
Further information on project delivery and timescales will be
announced in due course.
-ends-
For more information or images please contact
Kate.Forster@smarts.co.uk
or call 0131 561 0427.
Notes to editors
The Portdownie regeneration initiative includes a mile long
vibrant canalside quarter along the Forth & Clyde Canal between
The Falkirk Wheel and the B Listed Rosebank Distillery.
The new waterside quarter will include residential units, a
hotel, leisure/retail and commercial space arranged around a public
square, the handsome B Listed Union Inn and a new 50 berth marina
complex.
The new marina will also be home to 18,000 sq ft of commercial,
leisure and retail space as well as the B Listed Union Inn (with
pub and restaurant), which will be refurbished and extended to
feature a double frontage overlooking the vibrant new canalside
environment.
There will also be potential for improved waterside activities
opening access to the historic canal environment, such as cycle and
canoe/kayak hire and boatyard facilities for local and visiting
boaters.
Leading Scottish masterplanners Michael Laird Architects were
commissioned by Falkirk Council and British Waterways Scotland to
develop the masterplan which extends over the full 140 acre
setting. It will also deliver an enhanced 'gateway' entrance to The
Falkirk Wheel, which, as one of Scotland's leading tourist
attractions, welcomes half a million visitors each year to the
world's only rotating boatlift.