Knockroon Masterplan

knockroon-masterplan

Knockroon Vision and Masterplan

In July 2007, His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, known as the Duke of Rothesay in Scotland, put together a rescue package in conjunction with the Scottish Government, Historic Scotland and the Prince’s Charities to save Dumfries House and its contents from being sold at auction. Dumfries House is situated between Auchinleck and Cumnock in East Ayrshire. Knockroon Farm formed part of the estate, and there was an opportunity to consider developing this land to strengthen links between Dumfries Estate, Cumnock and Auchinleck.

A five day Enquiry by Design (EbD) was held in Cumnock by The Prince’s Foundation For The Built Environment in February 2008 to explore potential options. A vision emerged of a sustainable urban extension to Cumnock, or, in everyday language, a new neighbourhood that would be designed and built to last.

Knockroon is not just another housing estate. It is a neighbourhood incorporating homes, shops to serve local and daily needs and workplaces for people who wish to start small businesses.

Main design principles

  • a walkable neighbourhood encouraging social interaction and a strong sense of community

  • a mix of sizes and types of homes

  • workshops and commercial units interspersed with homes

  • attractive homes with designs based on local architecture

  • good connections to public transport and path networks to encourage walking and cycling and reduce car dependency

  • a road design where people rather than cars come first and families are comfortable walking, cycling and playing

  • a road layout that means that highway signage is not needed and that the streetscape is therefore more attractive

  • high quality architecture and natural materials that will last for many decades to come

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Knockroon will have Adam Square at its heart and a tolbooth style mixed use community building is planned. Leading architects, Ben Pentreath and Lachie Stewart, have come up with a design that is inspired by local architecture that was built between the late 17th and mid 19th centuries. The houses follow well established vernacular traditions combined with small touches of thoughtful detail, resulting in homes that are solidly built and will remain attractive for decades to come.

Homes in Knockroon feel “right” and create a distinctive sense of place. In an era when many towns and high streets seem the same, the developers, Hope Homes Scotland and ZeroC, feel that buyers will appreciate feeling part of something special. Natural landscaping using native plants will add to this and it is hoped to provide allotments for community use. Easily accessible open spaces will be situated at Underwood Green and High Green.

"The Knockroon Masterplan and its design principles are broad and robust enough to deliver growth and quality of life over the long term, linking to natural and economic assets.

We’re putting in place the conditions the community needs to thrive.”

Hank Dittmar, Chief Executive
The Prince’s Foundation For The Built Environment

To find out more about The Prince’s Foundation For The Built Environment please visit their website www.princes-foundation.org

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