 Falkirk has been at the centre of a number of new developments |
Detailed regeneration plans for Falkirk are expected to create up to 5,000 local jobs at a cost of �500m. A 300 acre "Falkirk Gateway" site on the edge of the town is to be developed, bringing a new marina which will serve the Forth and Clyde Canal.
Hotel and conference facilities, office space, leisure facilities and a retail park have also been planned.
It is hoped the development will end the area's dependence on the nearby petrochemical industry in Grangemouth.
Joint developers Macdonald Estates plc and Hammerson UK Properties plc estimate that the scheme will generate up to 3,000 permanent jobs in addition to 2,000 construction jobs.
'Significant milestone'
The site's development is said to be a key project in the "My Future's in Falkirk" regeneration initiative being championed by Falkirk Council, Scottish Enterprise Forth Valley and BP Grangemouth.
The Falkirk Gateway site will be set within a new woodland park adjacent to the new stadium built for Falkirk Football Club.
Plans released by developers on Tuesday propose to create 500,000 sq ft of business space, a 250,000 sq ft retail park, hotel and conference facilities and a commercial hub centred on a new marina.
Dan Macdonald, chief executive of Edinburgh-based Macdonald Estates Plc, described the area as "the best connected site in Scotland".
He said: "It is within half an hour of two major European cities, just 20 minutes drive from a major UK International airport, with excellent motorway and train links and a sea terminal on its doorstep.
"The development will attract office tenants who cannot now find the appropriate accommodation in Edinburgh or Glasgow but expect the international transit links and working environment associated with major hubs.
"It will also become the catalyst for the development of hotel, conference, leisure and other facilities required alongside a quality business park environment."
Falkirk Council leader David Alexander added: "This significant development will act as a catalyst to transform the image and economy of the Falkirk area and is the most significant milestone so far in our drive to make Falkirk a major centre of investment."
Work on the site is expected to start later this year and the scheme will be developed in a number of phases over the next eight to 10 years.
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This significant development will act as a catalyst to transform the image and economy of the Falkirk area
