Winchburgh Developments Ltd’s large-scale, sustainable development will provide 3,800 new homes across the private and social rented sectors, improved transport links, employment opportunities, new schools, and new outdoor spaces.

The award, shared between Winchburgh as developers and a consultant team of engineers Sweco and landscape consultants Optimized Environments, along with contractors I&H Brown, recognises the project’s innovative use of an abandoned landfill site to deliver a new 85-acre district park.

Speaking at the annual awards ceremony, John Hamilton, chief executive of Winchburgh Developments Ltd, said: “The innovative reimagining of the former Auldcathie landfill site with sustainable goals at its heart, shows just what can be achieved when we think outside the box about Brownfield sites.

“Now more than ever, as we race towards net zero as an industry, we need placemaking projects like Winchburgh where communities are involved from the very earliest stage to shape the future homes and public green spaces they want to live alongside.

“We are delighted that our team, along with our development partners have received this national recognition. It’s been fantastic to see the results of our labour being enjoyed by our communities and visitors from further afield. The creation of the Auldcathie District Park has provided the growing community in Winchburgh and surrounding areas with a new public green space.”

The site sits adjacent to the West Lothian Council’s new shared education campus and sports facilities including a nursery and three schools for over 1,500 pupils.

The council has styled the new campus ‘the schools in the park’, as it provides direct open access to the pupils from the campus sports fields into the new park with direct open links extending outdoor recreation and learning opportunities for pupils.

The park, which is part of the Masterplan for Winchburgh, is fully funded by Winchburgh Developments Ltd, with over £8 million invested to date.

It has also been fully designed in consultation with the community of Winchburgh and now includes a community growing area, a community woodland, extensive children’s play, a dog park and extensive areas for walking and cycling.

The award judges said: “This project is an impressive example of bringing an abandoned site back to effective reuse. The project clearly benefits the surrounding area and provide a sustainable solution to a common problem”.