The project master plan for the £1.5 million transformation to Pittencrieff Park has been unveiled now that the Heritage Lottery Fund has given approval for the proposed works to begin.

Details on the eagerly anticipated major redevelopment were revealed on site with refurbishment work on the glasshouses and the creation of a peacock sanctuary first in line.

Peter Howden, Fife Council’s Development Manager for Parks & Countryside explained: “A wide range of improvements are planned for the next few years but local people will perhaps be most interested to hear about how we plan to re-establish the presence of the locally loved peacocks in Pittencrieff Park.

“The former animal centre will be developed as an enclosure for rearing this popular bird so that it can once again enjoy the freedom of Dunfermline. The park has been ‘home’ to the free-range peacocks since the early 1900’s and this indoor and outdoor enclosure will allow us to introduce more of these birds into the park.”

Plans also include developing an area south of the animal centre with picnic tables for private children’s parties, picnics and barbeques. Nearby toilet facilities will be available in the peacock sanctuary.

Work will also begin on the refurbishment of the glasshouses, including a part conversion for use as a community learning facility. A number of educational opportunities will be available in the new facility for horticultural and environmental classes and the Friends of Pittencrieff Park group will also make good use of the facility.

The glasshouse refurbishment is due to be completed in summer 2013 and the peacock sanctuary by summer 2014.

Park owners, the Carnegie Dunfermline Trustees - who partnered park managers, Fife Council, in the joint HLF-funding bid - have boosted the new investment in the park to £2.6m by underwriting the capital cost of a £1million café extension which is already taking form on the east of the park’s iconic Glen Pavilion as part of a separate project.

Carnegie Dunfermline Trust’s departing chairman Bill Livingstone said: “Fife Council is carrying out the design and project delivery of the new 120-seater terraced cafe and its Building Services arm is on schedule to complete its construction by early summer. The new year-round facility for park visitors is a another key strand of our shared strategy to regenerate this much-loved green space as one of Scotland’s premier family parks and will complement the HLF-funded works in restoring the Glen as an urban parkland of major UK significance.”
 

Other improvements planned include:

• Restoration of listed buildings and the painting of historic gates and railings including the Louise Carnegie gates, the Summer House, the Telephone Kiosk, the Dovecot and Andrew Carnegie’s Statue.
• Restoration of key landscape features including the Laird’s Garden, the Japanese Garden and the Sandstone Rock Garden.
• Improved lighting throughout, in keeping with the heritage of the park, to improve evening visits.
• Horticultural and park signage improvements at the entrances.
• New interpretation panels at key points in the park offering information about the parks natural history, built heritage and trails.
• Improvements to the paths and fencing with more seating available throughout the park.
• New and refurbished planting and biodiversity areas throughout with better tree management to improve historic views of the palace and Abbey.
• Removal of derelict buildings and features including the disused toilet block and utilitarian fencing.
• The project will also recruit an Urban Parks Ranger later this year whose role will be to aid enjoyment and understanding of the park through events and educational activities.

Harry Dunn, Chairperson of The Friends of Pittencrieff Group concluded: “We are delighted about the Lottery Award and the opportunities it will provide for the transformation of the Glen. In particular, that priority being given to the creation of a peacock sanctuary and that soon we can look forward to having the peacocks housed safely in the Park. We are also happy that the dog problem is being address for future safety of the peacocks and other wildlife.

“The Friend too have lots going on within the park and are happy to share the good news of having opened the Lawyers’ Orchard and we look forward to the public and local children, who own the park, enjoying “apples and pears for their heirs!”