Much has been made recently in the news of ecologically sound building practices and environmental sustainability. These terms have almost become buzz words associated with what to look for in a forward thinking development. However these phrases and practices are nothing new to Andrew and Jennifer Malcolm, the owners of Allseasons at the Meadows, a 200 acre ecologically sound development in the west of Scotland.
With experience gleaned from their previous business, a successful landscaping firm, the Malcolms, set about developing the site. Already an established wildlife habitat, they plan to develop the land to attract the UK and overseas tourism market and promote leisure activities such as walking, cycling, sailing and fishing.
To be built over two phases, the completed first phase included completing the road infrastructure around the site and a 25 acre loch with retained islets for roosting and nesting birdlife, such as oyster catchers, herons, ducks and geese. In the second phase, building will commence on a luxury hotel with electricity provided by solar panels and wind turbines, a marina with Scottish retail outlets, restaurant and self catering New England style holiday homes.
The site is home to over 40 species of bird, both endemic and migratory, and has five RSPB red list (priority species of conservation concern) and 14 amber list (priority species of medium concern) on site. The site’s biodiversity increases year on year and the company encourages visitors with a keen interest in nature and wildlife to visit the site.
Planned for completion by Easter 2009, the leisure development aims to harmonise nature with tourism and showcase what this part of East Ayrshire has to offer. Allseasons is a £100 million designated green development project and is also part of the rural stewardship scheme.
Andrew Malcolm is clear in his vision that as well as retaining the site’s beauty it should also benefit the community in other ways. They encourage local school parties to visit and see the nature aspects of the site and each May, the popular Irvine Valley Walking Festival uses part of the site for one of its trails. On a larger scale, this development can sustain and increase recruitment to the area. To accommodate this influx of employment, 50 acres of the site has been set aside to build affordable sustainable housing for local residents.
For those interested in visiting the site, or further information, check www.allseasonsscotland.com
For further details contact Andrew Malcolm, Allseasons, allseasonsayr@btconnect.com
