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 41 homes and some 65 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.

COMMUNITY RIGHT TO BUY
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  - 'Disappointing 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 had been at an impasse since October 2008 but contacts between the Community Body and the landowner, Welch's Homes, early in 2009 seemed to suggest some hope for a degree of better understanding of both positions and indeed in some meaningful negotiations.

By summer 2009, progress in negotiations came to a stop and little progress is now expected.  The Community however, intend to hold on to the Right to Buy Registration for the present and will continue to develop the community in other ways such as Community Renewables, social events and national lobbying for change in the 50 year old park home legislation to take account of the modern needs of residents. 

This resolve has been strengthened by the result a secret ballot of all residents announced on on 1 Sept 2009 which showed a vote of 77% in favour of retaining the Right to Buy registration.

HERE WE GO AGAIN! June 2010

Willow Wood is back on the market again.  Last month, the landowners intimated to the Scottish Government tnat thet were putting the park back on the market.  After a comprehensive surgerury of members and residents on 8th June 2010, the Directors have intimated to Scottish Ministers that the community body will proceed with a further attempt to purchase the park.  The next stage is a new independent valuation due to be delivered sometime in August 2010.

In the meantime, the residents have obtained support from the West Lothian Business gateway who have appointed an officer to assist the Company in preparing an amended business plan and to assist also with funding applications.  Watch this space.

A BROADER AGENDA

On a broader front, our Directors have been busy pursuing a political agenda for changes in Park Home legislation in Scotland and accordingly we welcome the recent announcement by the Minister for Housing and Communities in the Scottish Parliament, Mr Alex Neil, MSP, of impending changes in legislation which will strehgthen the hand of park home residents against rogue owners.  See 'New Hope for Park Home Residents"

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

IF YOU ARE A PARK HOME RESIDENT IN SCOTLAND WHY NOT HAVE YOUR SAY ON PARK HOME LIVING THROUGH OUR GUESTBOOK PAGE?  YOUR COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

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

 

Willow Wood as a development site in 2003	Willow Wood today 2009 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)