HELIX: a shared vision

Our vision for the HELIX is of a place transformed. It places people at its centre and local communities at its heart.

Falkirk and Grangemouth: two large towns with a joint history of economic, social and political contribution to Scotland and internationally, yet separated by a piece of land that is underutilised, undervalued and serves to act as a barrier between communities. This is the land that could be transformed in to a unifying asset both towns.

Our vision for the HELIX is clear: it heralds transformational change for the people of Falkirk and Grangemouth. Through place-making and engagement with people, we will create a new green heart at the centre of a new metropolitan area, reconnecting people, making space for communities, creating a destination for visitors, celebrating the cultural past, delivering world class art and iconic structures, and being managed on a sustainable and accountable model.

Over the next 15 years, and with Big Lottery funding as the main catalyst for change, our vision is that:

• the HELIX has transformed the landscape into a place of delight, with diverse habitats and rich in wildlife. It is fully accessible and managed sustainably.
• people enjoy coming to the HELIX, which has become a major visitor destination whilst continuing to meet local recreational needs
• individuals and groups are confident and active in identifying and meeting the needs and aspirations of local people through the HELIX
• local communities and businesses are proud of the HELIX and wish to be associated with it. People feel the HELIX embodies the 'My Future's in Falkirk' message
• the HELIX is a source of materials for a range of enterprises and a vehicle for training and employment

Success will be achieved through:

• engaging with communities not only on concepts and aspiration but on design development, education, training, delivery and long-term management of the physical environment. It requires a new long-term model for engagement and for the stewardship of the land in the form of HELIX Futures.
• inspiring individuals, communities, partners, funders and agencies about place and design quality to lift aspirations and create new iconic place references. It requires building a new confidence and value about place and in response we have developed the iconic Kelpies and a participatory public arts strategy.
• creating new opportunities for local participation (ideas/ management/ employment/training etc) and new interest in enterprise and investment and good governance. It requires people, local neighbourhoods and communities to share in the creation of a new place and in response we are developing unparalleled levels of participation in design, local decision making and delegated authority.
• managing a new landscape and place for multifunctional activity under increasingly sustainable stewardship with direct community participation. It requires a new environmental management regime that is cross-cutting and multifunctional and creates opportunity for local jobs, training and enterprise.
• adapting positively to change and embrace innovation and risk as inherent opportunities and challenges in a project which is committed to passing ownership to communities which have new found confidence and are ready and able to act. It requires that we are progressively balancing innovation and pragmatism, recognising the need to learn, adapt and use engagement to enable community input, monitoring and feedback.