North Berwick: Work to deliver new community green space

Landscaping works on North Berwick Trust Ltd’s site – known as the Triangle – are due to be complete within a matter of weeks.

Trustees are delighted to see works progress in the organisation’s 50th anniversary year to create a vibrant green community space.

Phase one of the project is due to be complete early next month at a cost of more than £100,000.

David Tweedie, chair of North Berwick Trust, said: “We are excited to see this project move forward.

“The ‘Triangle’ forms part of the remaining land left in trust ownership following the sale of 53 acres of land to CALA and Walker for housing.

“With the development of the school and nursery campus adjacent to the land, we have been working for some time to develop a plan to connect the new housing and the school to provide a community green space for all to enjoy and provide a safe route to school.”

The work in North Berwick is split into three phases (Image: Contributed)

Plans for the overall site, to the south-west of Law Primary School, are split into three phases.

The site has been cleared and graded, with all phase one groundworks now complete.

Preparations for the amenity grass areas, wildflower areas and formation of the mounds are now finished, while turfing of the mounds is currently ongoing.

Trees and plants have been delivered, with planting tasks on site ongoing.

A community orchard will be created with heritage Scottish fruit varieties and an area is being included for recreational grass activities.

The buffer planting consists of a mixed native hedgerow around the perimeter to provide separation from the road and a habitat for wildlife.

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This will be complemented by wildflower underplanting near residential garden fences.

The planting scheme will also include ornamental rowan trees with golden yellow berries in honour of the trust’s 50th birthday this year.

In addition, there are plans for commemorative benches to be installed.

Additionally, a significant wildflower meadow area will be created alongside the East Lothian Council path connecting to the nursery.

This space will evolve during the second phase to include potential growing spaces and a seating area.

North Berwick Trust Ltd is pleased to see the work at 'the Triangle' progressing well (Image: Contributed)

The orchard will serve as a community and educational resource, reflecting the land's agricultural heritage and offering opportunities for community and school events, such as planting, maintenance and harvesting days.

Faodail Landscapes has been contracted by North Berwick Trust Ltd to deliver and maintain the site for the first 12 months, after which a contractor for ongoing maintenance will be selected.

North Berwick Trust Ltd is aware of concerns raised by local residents around dog control on the trust’s park and there have been numerous requests for the ‘Triangle’ to be a dog-free zone, with the issue of dog control now under discussion by the trust’s estates group.

Future development (phase 2) plans include informal play features, growing spaces, hard-surfaced paths and additional tree planting.

Paths will connect various elements, including a pump track, orchard and small seating areas.

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This phase will be dependent on planning permission and a contractor will need to be appointed.

A section of land has been leased to East Lothian Council for building a community pump track, which will be the third phase of the project.

The track will be constructed and maintained by the council.

Planning applications for all phases of the project are being submitted to East Lothian Council by Velosolutions on behalf of the local authority for phase three and by North Berwick Trust Ltd for the second phase.