Welcome

Willow Wood Residential Park is situated in rural West Lothian at Cuthill Brae, near the villages of Stoneyburn and West Calder.  This high quality park home estate, established in 2004, now hosts 42 homes and some 66 residents who have all chosen the park home life style for its sense of community, security and quality of life in a rural setting.  An early action was to establish a residents association, Willow Wood Residents Association.  The Association's original intention was to further social activity among the residents but it quickly became obvious that in dealing with the park home owners there would be strength in numbers.  Development and improvement of the park was not always a high priority for the landowners and the association concluded that self determination through community ownership was the only real route to sustainable development.

Exciting Times
In 2006, the Residents Association resolved to seek registration of a Community Right to Buy (CRtB) under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 and spun off the community company to facilitate the registration. Registration was granted in 2007 and the Company is now in negotiation through CRtB to bring the park into community ownership. 

Despite a setback in October 2008 (See News Headlines  - 'Disapointing News') when our landowner pulled out of selling the park to the Community, we were not downhearted.  The registration of our Commmunity Right to Buy still remains in place and we are continuing with our plans for the future sustainable development of our community. 

Some Progress

Matters have been at an impasse since October 2008 but recent contacts between the Community Body and the landowner, Welch's Homes, have resulted in a degree of better understanding of both positions and indeed in some meaningful negotiations.

While the owners are still not prepared to sell the negotiations have centred round what could be achieved in community development under the present ownership arrangements. 

The Association Committee have sanctioned a continuation of the negotiations including the landowner and solicitors for both parties in the hore of reaching a firm agreemnt on the way forward.

At 1 April 2009, progress in negotiations is still slow but ongoing and we look forward to a mutually advantageous settlement in the not too distant future

This website will keep the members and you up to date on proceedings and developments as we pursue the 'park home lifestyle'.

For our latest news check the 'News' section regularly.

 

Willow Wood as a development site in 2003	Willow Wood today 2008 A park home village where none existed before
The Community Garden The Community Garden created by volunteers from the community	The Grand Opening Angela Constance MSP (SNP.Livingston) addresses the crowd at the opening of the community garden (August 2008)