New plans for Ravenscraig site

Report on civic greenspace project

Councillors have been presented with a plan to develop a new civic greenspace at Ravenscraig.

A report on the project was placed before the Enterprise and Housing Committee yesterday (Wednesday, September 5).

It stated:“the council intends to acquire land at Ravenscraig and to develop a new civic greenspace.

“The design of the new greenspace is well underway ahead of acquiring the site subject to planning. The council is now seeking approval to commence the procurement of a contractor to undertake the works to develop the greenspace and to delegate the subsequent approval of award to enable programme requirements of the external funding to be met.”

And the report continued:“the value of works for the civic greenspace is anticipated to be up to £3,000,000 during 2019/20.

“Of this, around £2,300,000 is supported through the Vacant & Derelict Land Fund, with the remainder to be met through an application to the Green Infrastructure Fund to be made in November 2018 and awarded by March 2019 (dates to be confirmed by the Scottish Government).

“In the event that the application to the Green Infrastructure Fund is unsuccessful, the service will seek approval from the Strategic Capital Delivery Group for the shortfall to be met through the council’s capital programme or, alternatively, through value engineering savings appropriate.”

Meanwhile, plans to build over 100 new homes on the former Ravenscraig site have been given the council’s seal of approval.

Taylor Wimpey’s plans to construct 106 new houses, which range from three to five-bedroom properties, on the site were first submitted to the council back in May last year. No members of the public objected to the plans.

In their design statement, Taylor Wimpey said:“as part of the development, a new dedicated footpath and cycleway shall be formed along the eastern boundary of the site connecting the existing residential core road to the south of the site to Merry Street to the north.

“This will be adopted by North Lanarkshire Council. as An integrated public transport solution is proposed for the overall Ravenscraig masterplan with a dedicated bus route to serve the broader development.

“This service will include links to the public transport network with options of connecting to the Carfin and Motherwell rail stations.”

In April, developers formally submitted a masterplan which aims to attract significant investment into Ravenscraig.

The planning submission follows North Lanarkshire Council’s announcement of a £190 million roads programme which will boost Ravenscraig’s regeneration.

Part of the Glasgow City Region City Deal, it represents the biggest single roads and infrastructure investment in North Lanarkshire’s history, with construction work due to begin next year.