And outline planning permission has also been sought for the £150 million foreshore, dock and harbour development — which could feature an amazing bridge, the design of which is based on the original version of the famous Falkirk Wheel.

The first phase of the 10-year project will see the dere.lict harbour transformed into a tourism and leisure attraction. More than 150 homes and town houses will also be built.

And thanks to Falkirk Council's development surveyor Colin Frame, the Journal was this week able to gain a close-up look at the detailed harbour plans — submitted by ING Real Estates Limited.

Water is a feature developer ING is used to working with, given that the company is Dutch based. So it's no surprise that the firm has come up with inventive plans for making the most of the harbour location.

The first phase of the waterfront development, if approved by Falkirk Council, will see the harbour transformed beyond recognition within three years.

Full details in Journal & Gazette

Well schooled
A NEW chapter has been written in the life and times of Deanburn Primary School, Bo'ness.

At the start of 2002, the upper school was destroyed by fire. Thankfully there were no casualties, but there was extensive damage.

But bad news has been transformed into a success story, with the new building being hailed as a "benchmark" for new schools.

Pupils and staff who had to endure mobile classrooms since the fire moved into their new £2.7 million school on May 23.

Here, Journal & Gazette chief reporter Julie Currie takes a look round the state-of-the-art building.

Read full story In Journal & Gazette