‘ Worst building in Britain’ gets £ 9.2m grant to redevelop

NORTH Lanarkshire Council’s plans to r e d e v e l o p C u m b e r n a u l d Town Centre took a step closer to reality as the project has received a government grant of more than £ 9 million.

The local authority’s application to the UK Levelling Up Fund was successful, resulting in an award of £ 9.2m.

This follows Historic Scotland’s decision last year not to preserve the landmark town centre megastructure as a listed building.

The town centre has been no stranger to controversy, with some considering it an important feature of the New Towns programme of the 1950s and 1960s, but countless others detest the building which has been named the worst in Britain.

Many have complained about the run- down condition of the massive building, which is prone to leaks and has had sections sealed off or demolished over the years.

The council previously announced its intention to purchase Cumbernauld

Town Centre and demolish it, having already agreed a deal in principle to do so. A new multipurpose “community hub” would then be constructed to take its place.

A statement on its website explains: “While the building represented the future in the 1960s, it is clear that it does not fit with residents’ vision of what they need from a modern town centre. The structure has been through significant changes over the years since it was originally built in 1963- 67.

“The council is committed to ensuring that Cumbernauld – and all the towns in North Lanarkshire – is a vibrant, living town and our overall investment in town centres, hundreds of millions of pounds, is about ensuring a sustainable future.”