Fresh twist in proposal for new nursery build

The white-hot debate surrounding public land in Westwood could be put on ice – as South Lanarkshire Council look to plug a funding gap.

The revelation emerged at a community council meeting last week as around 100 residents squeezed into the community hall to debate proposals for a nursery at the Westwoodhill Recreation Area grounds.

At the meeting, East Kilbride Central South councillor Collette Stevenson revealed that the controversial proposals could be put on the back-burner for financial reasons.

“Funding has been cut so they are basically going back to the drawing board,”the SNP councillor told those in attendance.

“There is a chance that it very well may not go ahead.

“Until we hear otherwise then there is nothing going ahead at the moment.”

When asked if she was for or against the plan, Councillor Stevenson added:“As an elected member I have to listen to all the community and their comments. But as a member of the planning committee I also have to have a degree of impartiality.”

Iain Hughes of the Scottish Greens then called for more talks.

“There is a lot of tension but I believe that is because there has been basically no community involvement at this stage,”he said.

Labour’s East Kilbride West councillor Monique McAdams discussed some of her work with the East Kilbride Community Trust – which has been key in the creation of K-Park and K-Woodlands.

Councillor McAdams believes the recreation area could be revitalised.

“What we can do is act as a guide for Westwood and offer advice,”she said.

Tory Central Scotland list MSP Graham Simpson called for a community group to be created.

He said:“The first thing the council can do is just say they aren’t going to build there.

“We then need to look at how we improve the park. I would like to see a‘Friends of...’group formed and they can then apply for money.”

South Lanarkshire Council’s head of education Lynn Sherry confirmed that financial expectations had not been met.

“Local authorities have been in ongoing discussion with the Scottish Government on the implementation of the 1140 hours of early learning and childcare,”she said.

“There is a financial difference between our proposals and the recent final funding settlement, and we are now working to understand the assumptions on the funding level provided for nursery accommodation, while also looking at a series of options to bridge the gap.”