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VISITOR DESTINATION
Cameron Connection will be an iconic contemporary building, designed to ecological principles and built with quality natural materials, stone, glass, timber and metal in a rural idiom, locally sourced wherever possible. The design aspires to be an exemplar of contemporary Scottish and Scandinavian design in its use of space, light and materials.
The building is designed to be flexible and comfortable. Smart design and lean structural engineering will be deployed to maximise solar gain, natural light and ventilation, for a healthy environment, reduced energy consumption and waste.
Adaptable multi-function space at Cameron Connection will provide a comfortable weather-proof environment all-year round for craftspeople, traders, facilitators engaged in a wide range of activities - crafts/foods production, sales and marketing, recreation and leisure. Cameron Connection will engage visitors and should provide a memorable experience.
Cameron Connection aims to be entirely self-sufficient in renewable energy within 3 years. Willow coppice will be planted, wetlands formed with species rich grass margins to enhance natural habitats and biodiversity. A path network will enable visitors to access these areas, explore and enjoy the surroundings and diverse wildlife of the area.
THE DIVERSIFIED FARM BUSINESS
KEY FEATURES
- Cameron Connection promotes the concept of Slow Food, quality local and seasonal food production and healthy eating
- The project is shaped around the owners’ interests in quality food, rare breeds, the environment and wildlife
- All operations will be managed by Sandy and Christine Riach and their 4 sons
- Cameron Connection supports small rural enterprises and community initiatives
- The visitor destination comprises small-scale workspace and retail, hot food, farmshop and country store
- Visitor attractions will include indoor and outdoor artworks and educational displays
- Cameron Connection will have a programme of events and be a venue for cultural and social gatherings
- A range and mix of activities will encourage all-day visitors
- Visitors will have access to woodland and meadow walks with picnic areas
- Cameron Connection aims for a synergy between local businesses, local residents, day trippers and eco-holiday visitors.
- Operations are to be managed as an accredited VisitScotland Green Tourist Business
- Opening hours will be 8.00 am to 8.00pm daily
KEY VISITOR ATTRACTIONS
- A Farm Shop specialising in local farm produce and seasonal foods
- Up to 16 small workshops for Rural Crafts (pottery, furniture, art, clothing, wood products etc) and Local Food processing facilities (meat and poultry, organic produce, soft fruit, microbrewery, seafood etc) marketing directly to the public
- A small Country Store and Post Office supplying essential provisions and services to the local community
- A Café/Restaurant with 80 covers specialising in quality local and seasonal foods, offering a range of foods/beverages and formats from light snacks to full table service, with adaptable function space for hire
- A seasonal all-weather Marquee for events such as fairs and markets, exhibitions and functions for up to 150 people
- Catering facilities will be offered from the café/restaurant (all year round) and the marquee (in season)
- A small ‘farm steading’ showcasing rare breed animals and birds
- A children’s outdoor play and recreation area will provide a leisure facility that encourages fitness, confidence and interaction
- Support facilities and expert facilitation for group activities (school parties, clubs, wildlife and golf tourists, cookery classes and demonstrations, etc) and special events
LANDSCAPE SETTING
- The site is to be enhanced with substantial new landscaping - restoring and consolidating the open field pattern and tree margins, creating new wetlands, a new shelterbelt, amenity tree and shrub planting
- Paths will link the housing, eco-lodges and visitor destination building, and connect the site with Northbank cottages and Cameron Crossroads and the existing public footpath network
- New planting will enhance shelter for outdoor recreation areas, creating a variety of comfortable outdoor spaces that incorporate unique landscape designs, selected artworks and educational displays
- Displays will focus on farming, local and natural history, rural life, food and sustainable development
- Self-guided short walks are to be created within the plantation and short rotation coppice woodland and around the wetland ponds, with picnic areas and information boards on local wildlife
- Visitor parking and a servicing area to be provided in small discreet enclosures landscaped with gentle mounds and planting and finished with stone dust surfacing and integral sustainable urban drainage
- One new safe access will serve the whole development, with a new bus stop and shelter
- External lighting will be low level, downward directional and controlled. At night there is to be no lighting of the destination building
ECOLOGICAL DESIGN
- The landmark destination building will be situated within the main field close to the main St Andrews-Leven road
- The building will use best practice ecological design to minimise energy consumption, waste and pollution, maximise adaptability through the whole life of the development
- Light engineered timber frame construction, pad footings, exceptional insulation levels, natural solar gain and re-circulation of warm air will contribute to minimise CO2 emissions in construction and use
- Timber floors, decks and cladding, metal roofing and glass will create a natural, light and fresh feel
- Solar gain, natural daylight and natural ventilation will be maximised with south facing full glazing onto the promenade boardwalk and roof glazing
- Modular planning, building structure and cladding panels will provide adaptability for individual users’ needs
- A district heating system fuelled using on-site bio-mass and CHP will provide carbon free heating and hot water
- CHP will provide a renewable source of electrical power and chilled air for food processing and storage
- Appropriate zoning of space and services will optimise adaptability
- Waste heat from processes will be re-cycled; waste will be minimised and composted
- Green specification will minimise use of toxic materials, and utilise high embodied energy materials wherever possible
- Low water use fittings will be used; rainwater will be harvested and used
- Road and building bases to re-use aggregate from demolition of existing brick sheds
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