A recent community consultation reveals the value of greenspace improvements made at Lionthorn Bing, Falkirk. Over a decade in the making, the Lionthorn Bing greenspace enhancement project was completed in 2022, breathing new life into a previously neglected area.
A former coal mining spoil heap, the area was transformed into a vibrant community greenspace where people and nature can thrive, delivering many key aims of the Central Scotland Green Network. Classified as vacant and derelict, Lionthorn Bing was neglected for decades before being developed by Green Action Trust as part of the Trust’s ongoing partnership with Falkirk Council to help deliver the Falkirk Greenspace Initiative. The site was officially opened in 2023 by Minister for Local Government Empowerment and Planning, Joe FitzPatrick MSP.
In late 2024, Green Action Trust carried out a community consultation exercise to assess how the local community feels about the changes made to the site. The survey highlights the significant value that the local community places on the Lionthorn Bing greenspace, and confirms that it is a cherished resource for frequent local visitors who benefit from its natural beauty, accessibility and improvements made in recent years. Feedback reaffirms the site’s role in enhancing community pride, promoting active travel lifestyles and fostering connections with nature.
Some concerns were raised over future management of the space, but the insights gathered in the survey provided a reliable foundation for and future planning, and underscore the importance of continued investment and care for this valued greenspace.
You can read the report here.
