Residents and visitors will be able to view and comment on the latest designs for the next phase of development at Douglasdale Community Woodland and the Douglas Village Hub later this week.

Set in the heart of the Douglas Valley, the plans form part of a wider multi-million-pound vision to establish the area as a nationally recognised location for outdoor recreation and adventure tourism.

The concept designs outline a phased programme to create a welcoming destination for local people, visitors, schools and community groups, while honouring the valley’s rich heritage.

Proposals include a visitor centre, adventure play area, dedicated education space, an agricultural hub, a viewing platform, enhanced walkways, improved parking and new visitor accommodation.

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Alison Brown, the council's Head of Enterprise and Sustainable Development, said: "As a key component of wider £14 million plans to connect communities across the Douglas Valley through networks of recreational and community hubs and paths, this project represents an exciting opportunity to celebrate the area’s rich heritage while creating a sustainable visitor destination that will benefit communities, attract visitors and support the local economy for generations to come."

Occupying the 18-hectare site of the former Douglas West mining village and sitting alongside the Hagshaw Energy Cluster, the development is intended to complement other heritage and community-led initiatives, bolstering the visitor economy and improving opportunities for local people.

The project is led by Douglasdale REAL Group in partnership with O'Donnell Brown, Land Use Consultants (LUC), Armour Construction Consultants, Blyth & Blyth Consulting Engineers and Carbon Futures, with funding provided through Clyde Wind Farm and the council-administered Renewable Energy Fund via Galawhistle Wind Farm.

A public drop-in will be held on Thursday 27 August at St Bride's Centre, Douglas, from 2.30pm to 8.30pm, with the exhibition remaining on display at the Centre afterwards. An online exhibition will also be available from Thursday for those unable to attend, running until Sunday 27 September.