0.1 The Masterplan

The Ladyfield site is an important strategic development site within Dumfries and Galloway, located next to The Crichton, which is an internationally significant estate. Dumfries plays a key role in the life and economy of the South of Scotland and Ladyfield offers an exciting opportunity to enhance the town for the benefit of all.

The Ladyfield site extends to an area of c.22 hectares of undeveloped land approximately 2.5km south of Dumfries town centre. The Ladyfield site is owned by Dumfries and Galloway Council, who acquired it from the Secretary of State for Scotland in 1995 as part of a larger purchase of The Crichton and buildings which had formed part of the former Crichton Royal Hospital. Dumfries and Galloway Council retains ownership of the site though they have no direct control over its management having opted to lease the property long-term to The Crichton Trust.

The site is bounded by Glencaple Road (B725) to the east, Kingholm Road to the west, Kingholm Loaning to the south and Glencaple Avenue to the north. The site slopes from its high point on Glencaple Road towards the south and west with a ridge that runs north-south across the site. Existing, well-established, residential areas are located to both the north and south of the site.

The development of a masterplan for the Ladyfield site will mark a further important milestone in the evolution of The Crichton Quarter into an integrated, nationally significant and sustainable 21st century community.

This masterplan will draw out the unique characteristics of the existing historic, social and natural setting of Ladyfield to provide an exemplar framework for an innovative and outstanding intergenerational place. The masterplan will holistically marry best practice approaches to energy, conservation, active travel, housing, education and skills.

The masterplan has been produced against a set of key parameters and aspirations for future development:

• To identify the existing natural and designed landscape characteristics of Ladyfield and their impact on the broader context of The Crichton Quarter, so that these can be enhanced and protected as part of any future development.

• To identify existing transport networks and connections, developing a future-proofed approach based on active travel principles and reduced car reliance.

• To undertake technical studies to underpin proposals with critical understanding of the site constraints and opportunities.

• To work collaboratively and openly with all stakeholders in Ladyfield to create a masterplan that puts local need at its heart.

• To establish a framework that embeds a unique ‘sense of place’, to be harmonious with the special landscape setting and biodiversity of Ladyfield and The Crichton Quarter.

• To set out a framework for conservation, interpretation and landscape setting enhancement for the Ladyfield site and its integration with The Crichton.

• To improve and enhance the Ladyfield site as an open network of spaces for the enjoyment of all residents as a place of living, working, learning and recreation.

• To outline development capacity and densities for the site supported by technical studies and best practice approaches to conservation, sustainable drainage and tree protection.

The masterplan is planning guidance. The architectural images contained in this document are illustrative. They establish guiding principles for development; detailed proposals will be prepared to support planning application/s for the site.