Housing is the cornerstone of the Heartlands development and while there are many new housing schemes being built all over the country, none will be as visionary as that planned for the west end of Whitburn.
2000 new homes are planned, ranging from affordable and community supported housing, recognising the growing difficulties facing first time buyers all the way up the housing scale. Through detached, semi-detached and terraced villas up to executive housing overlooking the golf courses.
The new community will benefit from the wealth of business and leisure opportunities within the development and the broad range of housing will enable people to continue to live in or return to Whitburn, as many have moved away in the past due to the lack of suitable housing. The aim is also to encourage new home buyers to the area which, will in turn encourage the continuing prosperity of Whitburn and the surrounding area. Heartlands will feature a number of developments with a broad range of housing which will ensure that there is something for everyone. Recognising the diversity of the surrounding population the most extensive choice of property styles will be catered for to ensure that the needs of families, first-time buyers, professionals and retirees are all met. It is proposed that each development will incorporate a bespoke architectural style thus ensuring that each house has character that in turn will lead to an environment where only the best has been used to create their homes.in which people will wish to live.
The developments alongside the B7066 and around the existing Cultsykefoot cottages will be designed in a style which reflects the Scottish vernacular*. Approaching the development from the west or off the new motorway junction through the business park visitors will see that Heartlands will be about something that little bit different. As the developments fan out Heartlands will comprise of modern, comfortable and stylish yet traditional homes built to the highest specification. From apartments to detached villas through to executive luxury houses aimed at the discerning buyer. Heartlands will have a range of housing unmatched in variety and suitable for just about every pocket.
The housing will be built in stages beginning with the village square area around Cultsykefoot then head progressively southwards and outwards to meet up with the golf courses. Construction of the 1st phase of the housing i.e. the infrastructure, roads, utilities etc are scheduled to begin this year.
Unlike other housing developments, Heartlands will be designed in such a way that it seamlessly integrates with the surrounding landscape and communities. There will be pedestrian links to existing town walks and safe routes to schools. The arterial networks will follow the existing tree lines and there will be dedicated green play areas with expansive views of the countryside. The use of open space is one of the key principals of the Heartlands development. In some places the distance between rows of houses will be as wide as a football pitch, all creatively landscaped with walk ways, water features, public artwork etc. The Cultrigg Burn (stream) will become a focal point as it meanders through the development. Not only will there will be scenic walkways alongside the burn but it will play host to wide range of habitats and species. Heartlands is not only about housing, or golf or business but it is also about enhancing the bio-diversity of the natural habitat making it a pleasant place to live not only humans but also the wildlife.
Heartlands will be about something that little bit different. A different kind of working, a different kind of playing and a different kind of living.
A prime example of Scottish vernacular building can be seen at Culross on the north bank of the Forth Estuary.
