Boarwood.

A new garden tucked away in the centre of Bathgate is creating a wildlife corridor in a built up area, as well as helping people gain skills in gardening and simple construction. 

Boarwood aims to replicate the model of the well-established Brock site in Broxburn. Boarwood will be developed to extend the model of growing plants focused on pollinator-attracting plants to sell to the public. It will also increase skills in rainwater harvest and recycling.  

The area is about 30ft wide and the same long, and was unused, sandwiched behind shopfronts and buildings between North and South Bridge Streets. It was identified by the community mental health team, which has an adjacent office, as an ideal site to extend group work that would benefit vulnerable adults with activities similar to those already taking place at the Brock. 

Work on the site began in 2025, with the space being prepared for development. In autumn, WLCAN Eco Fund provided a polytunnel, potting shed, staging and shelving. Then in spring further funding allowed for water butts to capture rainwater, pond creation, native trees, plants and seeds, timber for nesting and feeding boxes. 

It hasn’t been the easiest site to create a base for gardening, with steps that needed to be re-built as well as uneven ground and older shrubs and trees needing to be cleared to make way for more productive and native plants. The new planting areas will allow ‘arms-length gardening’ at easy reach.  

Boarwood’s first biodiversity survey took place in February 2026, and also provided training for those accessing the community project. The survey will be repeated in autumn and then annually, and initial observations have noted significant changes and an increase in biodiversity following modest initial changes to the space.

Skilling up is a major part of the plan and the participants have learned simple construction such as designing and installing the rainwater capture system and raised barrel pond with native planting. Feeders and bird boxes were installed and will be followed soon by bat boxes. The horticultural focus for this year is adding native planting with berries and fruits that will attract birds and insects, and features such as composting and wood piles that will help increase the insect population. As the group visitors become familiar with it, their sense of ownership will grow. 

Assistant manager David splits his time between Boarwood and the Brock. “The idea is to create a mini-Brock where we can grow plants and produce, have a workshop for planting but also to make things like painted pots and craft items to join those already sold at the Brock garden.” 

The art, music and writing add to the garden skills and bring many interests together will be nurtured by the visitors in their new space.