Dunfermline

Stirling Developments have acquired land and development rights at Broomhall Estate, the ancestral home of the Earl of Elgin.  This area of land, adjoining Dunfermline to the south west, has been identified in Fife's Structure Plan as a potential starting point for the City's future expansion requirements.

The location presents a marvellous  opportunity to help re-establish the authentic identity of Dunfermline.

Site Context

Dunfermline: 'Scotland’s national and European Gateway'
At a national level Dunfermline has a strong case for being Scotland’s foremost logistical location; at the heart of the Country and a European gateway.
Most of Scotland’s primary routes and centres of population converge close to Dunfermline. A place where north meets south and the Forth Estuary allows east and west to be at their closest.
The nearby Rosyth deep water port has developed into one of Scotland’s most successful European passenger ferry and freight terminals, providing Dunfermline with an international context.

 

         

Dunfermline’s outstanding location has the opportunity to be further enhanced by the proposed new multi-modal Forth crossing.

As well as providing additional car capacity, the new bridge could provide Light Rapid Transit (L.R.T) links to Dunfermline from the international airport and Edinburgh’s western business and financial headquarters.
An L.R.T network would also provide better connections from Dunfermline to Rosyth and its European ferry port.
Dunfermline is located very close to Edinburgh and this relationship will strengthen with its inclusion in the Edinburgh City Region Plan.
With its proximity to the Capital and excellent links to the rest of Scotland, Dunfermline should be considered as one of the City Region’s most desirable locations.

           

 

Dunfermline’s Regal History

Dunfermline was the historic capital of Scotland, a status it retained for over 500 years.
25 Kings and Queens have been born or buried here. Dunfermline’s Benedictine Abbey dates back to the 11th century and houses the tombs of St Margaret and King Robert The Bruce.
Dunfermline’s Scottish Royal Palace was built by King James IV in 1500 and became a favourite residence for many Scottish Monarchs.

                    

      

 

From his humble upbringing in a weaver’s cottage in Dunfermline Andrew Carnegie went on to conquer the steel business, becoming the world’s richest man and one of its greatest ever philanthropists. The City’s public realm has been enriched by Carnegie’s legacy, which includes Pittencrieff Park and many public buildings.

                                  

Dunfermline’s centre is composed of a historic square mile of architecture which articulates the City’s history and heritage. This diverse and rich urban environment provides Dunfermline with a prestigious legacy and a thought provoking and memorable experience for visitors and tourists.

   

                   

In the early 20th century the Town Planners and Officials unveiled their new Grand Plan for Dunfermline.

It was a plan that expressed the ambition of the City, with grand boulevards and regal architecture radiating out from the historic centre and reaching out to regional transport links.
The plan was held in such high regard its principal advocate, the Town Clerk, received a Knighthood for his efforts in promoting it. The government safeguarded the land for many years (precluding it from any development that deviated from the masterplan) but unfortunately the two world wars drained the necessary public funding to deliver it.

The original plan covers much of the development area being promoted by Stirling Developments at Broomhall and has informed and provided inspiration for our new concept masterplan. One that is also influenced by the City’s historic centre, emphasising the qualities and ambitions that Dunfermline has to offer.
A Century later, there is only one remaining component of the original Grand Plan that could finally deliver the noble ambitions it championed for Dunfermline.

      

The Dunfermline of tomorrow

Our vision of Dunfermline’s long- term future is one which is guided by an ambitious grand plan, re-defining and transforming the City into a forward thinking, dynamic place, acclaimed for its knowledge economy, Royal heritage and quality of life.
We believe the long-term plan should embrace the transition towards a more personalised and localised community culture. This would lead to a City composed of distinct, sustainable neighbourhoods. Each with its own character and identity, where education, retail, business and community facilities are all within walking distance of the neighbourhood’s homes.
This approach follows the example of all successful cities such as London and Edinburgh, where the mass of the city is fragmented into attractive, distinct areas. These city neighbourhoods, like Edinburgh’s Stockbridge, Bruntsfield or Morningside have their own localised facilities but give way to and support the city centre.
To enable this, every neighbourhood should have good physical, (and ideally visual), connections to the City Centre.

         

Just as the castle provides the iconic centre piece in Edinburgh’s urban realm, so should Dunfermline’s Abbey provide orientation and a visual focal point from anywhere in the City.
Dunfermline’s marvellous Royal heritage supersedes any other regional town in Edinburgh’s city region area, as does its strategic location and critical mass.

It should become the preferred choice for house buyers and businesses, ahead of any other place in the Lothians or the Borders.
Dunfermline has the potential to become Edinburgh’s smaller, twin city and be one of Scotland’s most dynamic, attractive places to live, work and visit.
Dunfermline has the necessary qualities and capabilities to be recognised as the principal regional centre, outwith the Capital.
Dunfermline’s historic centre should be the focus for the entire City.
The City’s future potential must be proactively capitalised upon in order to safeguard its long-term prosperity.

Conclusions:
Dunfermline has all the ingredients to become a forward thinking, dynamic place, acclaimed for its progressive economy, rich public realm and quality of life.
Future development strategies should aim to capitalise on Dunfermline’s key assets:

• A Royal heritage and rich historic public realm
• One of Scotland’s best logistical locations
• Close proximity and a mutually beneficial working partnership with Edinburgh; a World Class City.
• Good quality of life; South facing, scenic views, access to diverse open space and countryside.
• An educated workforce and growing population with money to spend.
• Development proposals should be assessed on their ability to help transform Dunfermline and contribute to the long-term aspirations of the City.

More information on this project will be available in due course.

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