The 930-acre site, located near Dunfermline, will be developed by the National Pride to become an Eco-Therapy Wellness Park.

The new development will not only incorporate Fife Council’s intention for a tourism and leisure destination but will be further enhanced by combining nature and guests in a destination of immersive activity with distributed places for relaxation and rejuvenation.

Gordon Mole, head of business & employability at Fife Council, welcomed the news: “Fife Council welcomes confirmation of the sale of, and emerging plans for, St Ninians and Loch Fitty, which have the potential to support our tourism sector and local economy, as well as the wellbeing of local communities. We look forward to receiving a planning application, and to working closely with National Pride and its partners, to create an area which complements the local environment and landscape, whilst creating a leisure destination in the heart of Fife.”

The St Ninians site comprises a range of wood and agricultural land surrounding Loch Fitty which was previously operated as a successful trout fishery. Currently the site includes a restored former surface mine and dramatic landforms created by world-renowned landscape architect Charles Jencks representing the four continents across the globe influenced by Scottish immigrants throughout history.

The plans will retain the sculptured landforms as a signature piece for generations to admire and remember the influence that the people of Scotland have had upon the world.

Philip Rayson, senior planning & development manager at Hargreaves Land, said: “St Ninians is a fantastic site with great potential to deliver significant benefits to the area and the investment and scale of environmentally sensitive development that National Pride have planned are very exciting. This is the second site Hargreaves Land has sold to National Pride and we are confident that the site is in good hands and look forward to watching their plans for the site develop.”

Irene Bisset, chair of National Pride, added: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to add this wonderful place to our Eco-Therapy Wellness series of projects. As the new custodians of St Ninians, we will create vibrant and restful places for all to experience the beauty and healing power that nature can bring into all our lives.

“We will also create a leisure and tourism destination that will provide significant economic and community benefit to the area. Our plans include the re-wilding of much of the area, as our commitment to the decarbonisation of the environment, all sensitively crafted to enhance nature and stimulate both mental and physical health for our guests.”

Plans are still to be submitted to Fife Council for approval, but at this early stage, there is a clear intention to create a leisure and tourism destination that will provide significant economic and community benefit to the local area.