NORD Architecture has been granted planning permission for the new Maggie’s Centre in the grounds of Forth Valley Royal Hospital in Larbert. This will be the 9th Maggie’s Centre in Scotland with Maggie’s Aberdeen having opened in September last year and the new purpose built Centre in Lanarkshire due to open later this year.

The Forth Valley Maggie’s Centre is being built thanks to the grant- making charity Walk the Walk who, as principal funder, has been able to support Maggie’s with funds raised by walkers of The MoonWalk Scotland.

People in the Forth Valley area could therefore benefit from the support of a Maggie’s Centre as early as spring/summer 2015.

Maggie’s Chief Executive Laura Lee said: “We are delighted Nord Architecture has received planning permission as it brings us a step closer to Maggie’s Forth Valley becoming a reality and fulfilling our ambition of supporting more people with cancer, their family and friends.”

The plans, including CGI images of the designs for the Centre by the multi-award winning architects, show the design for the new Maggie’s Centre in Forth Valley which has been inspired by wrought iron Victorian pavilions and makes references to the area’s strong links with the iron industry.

It will be the first Maggie’s Centre to be situated beside a lochan.

Situated in seventy acres of mature woodland previously occupied by the Royal Scottish National Hospital, the site also features a network of pathways and stunning views over the loch and Ochre Hills.

Laura Lee added: “It is a beautiful location for one of our Centres and one which I am sure will make an impact on our Centre visitors.

“As for the building itself, Nord Architecture is an inspirational and contemporary company who draw their influences from social and cultural issues which made them, in our eyes, the perfect fit for Maggie’s.

“The plans for Maggie’s Forth Valley are fresh and exciting and now we have planning permission I know it won’t be long before we open another Maggie’s Centre providing an uplifting environment where people can find vital support.

“All of course thanks to the continuing generous support we receive from Walk the Walk and everyone who takes part in The MoonWalk Scotland. It is their tremendous fundraising efforts which make it possible for Walk the Walk to pledge the £3 million needed to build the Centre.

“Everyone at Maggie’s is truly grateful to all involved.”

NORD Architecture, established in 2002, is known for their unique buildings and for drawing their inspiration from social and cultural issues.

Director of NORD Architecture, Alan Pert said: “Being chosen to design the new Maggie’s Centre at Forth Valley was a fantastic way to celebrate 10 years of NORD and a real honour to work with the amazing team behind this network of centres. It is an incredible achievement that so many of these buildings have been realized and to contribute to this vision is a huge privilege.

“How to establish relationships between an ornamental loch, a new Maggies Centre and its expansive surroundings is the main concern of our design. A series of rooms are wrapped by a veranda, which creates a shaded space for leisurely promenade and a place to shelter from the rain. Placed in a commanding position next to the ornamental loch the colonnaded pavilion differs from many previous Maggie’s Centres, which have had to create a landscape setting for the building.

“The veranda acts as a mediating space between the expansive landscape setting and the internal layout, which is arranged to offer a retreat and places of intimacy from the vastness of the outside world, whilst being able to celebrate the beauty of the expansive surroundings and all the hopes that the outside has to offer.”

This will be the second time Walk the Walk have funded a new Maggie’s Centre.  The first, Maggie’s Gartnavel in Glasgow, opened in October 2011.

They have also contributed £250,000 to the new Centre in Lanarkshire.

Nina Barough CBE, Founder and Chief Executive of Walk the Walk, said: “Walk the Walk are very excited that Nord Architecture have now received planning for Maggie’s Forth Valley Centre. l look forward to seeing the creation of what I know will be a very beautiful, unique and ground breaking building, whilst embracing the Maggie’s ethos, and reflecting the care that this charity is renowned for.  I feel very proud of our amazing walkers who through taking part in The MoonWalk Scotland are helping to make a huge difference to the lives of cancer patients in Scotland”.

The planned Centre will offer Maggie’s unique evidence-based programme of support including drop-in sessions with cancer support specialists, nutrition workshops and relaxation classes.

It is expected to be visited at least 1,500 times in its first year.

Jane Grant, Chief Executive, NHS Forth Valley, said: “This will be a wonderful new facility for the hundreds of people in Forth Valley who are treated for cancer every year. The woodland surrounding Forth Valley Royal Hospital, where the new centre will be built, provides a tranquil, natural setting with lovely views over the lochan.

“Maggie’s Caring Cancer Centres are internationally renowned for the excellent support they provide to patients and their families and we look forward to working with them on this important new development.”

The Centre will be built in the grounds of Forth Valley Royal Hospital designed by Keppie, and minutes from the varied amenities of Larbert and Stenhousemuir.