Project Overview
Project name: Closeburn Community Field Shelter (The Roundhouse)
Organisation/group: Nith Valley Leaf Trust (NVLT)
Location: Closeburn, Dumfries and Galloway
Grant awarded: £20,000
Project delivery period: October 2023 – May 2024
Theme/priority area: Community facilities, wellbeing and sustainability
The community need
Closeburn is a rural parish of around 650 residents with a strong sense of local identity and pride. The playing field (formerly owned by Dumfries and Galloway Council and transferred into community ownership in March 2023) is central to village life, hosting the annual gala and informal recreation year-round.
However, the field had no shelter or facilities. Users had nowhere to gather out of the weather, limiting activities and discouraging wider community use. Consultation through the Closeburn Action Plan, community meetings, newsletters and engagement with local school pupils highlighted a clear desire for improved sports facilities, meeting space and a weatherproof venue for events.
At a time when communities are seeking to strengthen local assets and reduce travel to facilities elsewhere, creating a permanent, flexible shelter became a priority.
The Project
With support from the ANCBC, NVLT delivered an iconic open-sided ‘Roundhouse’ structure providing 380 square metres of covered space. Designed to blend with the surrounding rural landscape, the circular building features a high-tensile matt green roof and perimeter supports, creating a clear, flexible interior.
Key features include:
- Open-sided design for outdoor use under cover
- Capacity for up to 400 people
- Built-in water diverters to harvest rainwater
- Low visual and environmental impact
The structure was manufactured and assembled by Roundhouse Building Solutions during the course of four days in April 2024, with drainage completed in May. The project was managed by NVLT in partnership with the Closeburn Gala Committee. Preparatory works included tree management to protect the canopy and groundworks for future bike hire containers, which are now also in place.
Outcomes and impact – the difference it made
The Roundhouse has quickly become a focal point for community life. It provides year-round shelter for families, walkers and sports groups, and a permanent covered venue for the gala and other events.
The space enables informal recreation, mini sports training, outdoor theatre, meetings and creative activities — all while enjoying views of the Lowther Hills.
Short-term outcomes include:
- Immediate increase in booking enquiries, including from groups beyond the parish
- Greater confidence to plan year-round activities
- Enhanced sense of pride in community ownership
Longer-term impact includes improved physical and mental well-being, stronger community cohesion, and increased economic potential through private hire income and future initiatives such as an e-bike scheme.
Highlights:
- 380m² covered multi-use space
- Capacity for up to 400 people
- 20-year structural guarantee
- Infrastructure in place for future bike library and e-bike hire
Voices from the community
Mike Steele, a Trustee at Nith Valley Leaf Trust, said: “We’ve spent time building relationships with funders who now trust that we will deliver what we set out to. The Roundhouse has provided Closeburn with a multi-use space like we’ve never had before — flexible, welcoming and built to last. It’s already transforming how we use the field and what we feel confident organising here. Quite simply, it’s brilliant. And now we’re making plans for next steps in developing much-needed resources for our local community to ensure Closeburn is a great place to live, raise families and visit.”
Looking ahead
NVLT will introduce a hire charging structure to generate income for maintenance and establish a sinking fund. Further funding from other sources is being sought to install a suitable surface beneath the canopy, and plans are progressing for an e-bike hire business supported by South of Scotland Enterprise.
The Roundhouse joins NVLT’s growing portfolio of community-led initiatives, including affordable housing, a community orchard and a commercially operating café/shop hub — reinforcing Closeburn’s ambition to take ownership of its future.
Why Annandale and Nithsdale Community Benefit Fund matters
This grant enabled the community to move from aspiration to reality. Securing the right structure and supplier took time, but the support from ANCBC ensured delivery of a high-quality, future-proofed facility.
Community benefit funding plays a vital role in rural areas like Closeburn, empowering residents to shape and sustain the places they care about.
Find out more
Visit Nith Valley Leaf Trust here: Home Page
Bookings for the Roundhouse can be made here: Booking