The Langholm Initiative identified three sites within the Tarras Valley Nature Reserve (TVNR) where businesses and community initiatives could be developed to generate income for the TVNR and locale.

Glic was commissioned to conduct market and impact analyses for the three areas, to define the variety of businesses that might locate to the TVNR along with their premise needs and income flows, in alignment with the reserve’s central purpose in ecological restoration.

Following research and analysis, Glic proposed a suite of developments that encompassed housing, tourism, and commercial and community activity. All proposals were refined to balance, economic, ecological and social impacts.

Our team undertook extensive research to understand the behaviours, activities and opinions of the local community and explore similar cases across Scotland.

This research fed into the development of three business and community opportunities for the TVNR that were distinct in their operational approaches and income-generating capacities.

Glic produced an assessment of the potential economic impacts associated with each project, and the viability and risks associated with their development. Social and environmental impacts were also defined, to ensure the proposals were consistent with the overall purpose of the TVNR and the Langholm Initiative’s values.

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Glic presented the Langholm Initiative with an extensive report of three discrete proposals for the sites, with foci on commercial and community; environmental; and tourism activity. The project’s socio-economic context and opportunities within the TVNR segmented by sector were explored, with accompanying case studies of successful execution elsewhere.

Each proposal included an outline of facilities and services required for establishment and operation, an assessment of viability and associated risks and detail of economic, social and environmental impacts associated with investment.

The proposals designed by Glic were identified to deliver on multiple national, regional and local priorities. Together, they could produce 14 full-time jobs and £286K GVA per annum for the area, contributing to economic and community regeneration in Langholm.