A wind turbine for Beecraigs Country Park?
BEECRAIGS country park near Linlithgow could be transformed if plans for a new eco-centre – complete with wind turbine – go ahead.
The 470 square metre (5000 square feet) eco centre would include a reception, shop, exhibition area and education rooms, and would replace the current visitor centre.
Plans were submitted to West Lothian Council at the end of last week for the new building, which would be designed to fit in with the local environment by using locally sourced and recycled materials as well as solar and wind energy.
The centre would also include a base for park rangers and cycle hire facilities.
The wind turbine at the new eco centre would not be visible from Linlithgow, Torphichen or Bathgate as it would sit below the treeline.
And it is thought it would not cause any noise disturbance as it is far enough away from other residents in the area.
With a wind turbine, the eco centre could get an "excellent" rating from BREEAM, the environmental assessment method for buildings around the world.
Jon Newey at EK:JN architects, Linlithgow is one of the architects working on the project.
He said: "The Beecraigs Eco-centre could become a focus of sustainable and ecological thinking in the Scottish central belt, helping to deliver the commitments of Scotland's Climate Change bill through exemplary good practice coupled with an ongoing education programme.
"There are immediate benefits to the local area through improved access to the Beecraigs Country Park as well as the longer term benefits from the commitment to a sustainable agenda."
A review carried out in 2008 identified areas for improvement at Beecraigs, including the access to the visitor centre and car park – a narrow single track road with passing places, difficult for coaches and caravans.
The review also found that the visitor centre was not well located, was too small to offer a range of uses and that local power generation should be considered.
Further plans would see new car park access, and a pond with a willow bed to create a sustainable drainage system.
editorial@journalandgazette.co.uk
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Weather for Queensferry
Friday 18 May 2012
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