By Craig Smith

CARDENDEN residents have been given their first look at ambitious new plans for the future of the town.

Hamilton firm Banks Developments has unveiled blueprints for a regeneration project that aims to transform the area’s four former mining communities into one of Scotland’s first “eco-towns.”

Initial ideas have been put before locals at two public exhibitions held in the town over the past two days.

Although some have their reservations, the developer said yesterday it had been encouraged by a mainly “positive” response.

In the first phase of development, between 2011 and 2016, the company envisions:

Up to 1200 homes being built.

An improved town centre.

An 80-space park-and-ride.

A new transport hub near the railway station.

Refurbishment and possible expansion of the primary schools.

A new cemetery site.

Project manager Andrew Liddell said Cardenden had suffered from a lack of investment.

“The exhibitions have gone very well and, to be fair, when you look at a project of this scale, there’s going to be negative as well as positive views coming forward,” he said.

“I would say it’s been about 80-20 positive and we’ll draw on the comments received to move forward from there.

“People were very excited about various aspects of the project, such as bringing new resources into the area, the big investment into facilities and the eco argument—albeit people were wanting to find out more about it.

“We also got people who have lived here all their lives who were a bit worried about the significant scale of development, and that’s fair enough as well.”

The ambitious development would ultimately create a new centre for the four villages of Auchterderran, Bowhill, Cardenden and Dundonald.

At the heart of the plans is the eco-town concept championed by Prime Minister Gordon Brown, MP for neighbouring Kirkcaldy.

As well as aiming for a carbon neutral community after 2016, the new expanded town could have improved transport links to surrounding towns, a new secondary school, improved leisure and business facilities, and a full range of housing.

A number of renewable energy options are also being considered, such as geothermal sources or solar devices attached to buildings.

It is also estimated that two to four wind turbines in the town could deliver enough electricity for 5000 homes.

“At the end of the day, we believe there is a greater good here, but where people have given negative feedback it’s important to remember that we can incorporate their ideas into the plans,” Mr Liddell said.

“It’s about reaching a point of understanding and we want to listen to what the public has got to say.”

Comments can be made by Emailing cardenden@banksdevelopments.com, or by contacting community liaison manager Bob Swainson on 01740 658500.