GRAND DESIGNS FOR PARK
Bridge is part of revamp plans
Proposals are in place to build a bridge over Strathclyde Park loch as part of ambitious new plans that could cost up to £100m.
The bridge would span the water, from near to where the timing tower is, across to the other side.
And the overall development of Strathclyde Park could cost between £50m and £100m, subject to further consultation, planning permission and funding over the next decade.
The 10- year Parks for the Future programme has been approved by North Lanarkshire Council, paving the way for work to start on delivering improvements.
Flagship proposals for the Motherwell park are set to create a lagoon area safe for paddling with a bridge spanning the loch from near the timing tower.
Plans also include a new outdoor centre with accommodation and events space, and a gateway to Strathclyde Park will be created at Bellshill with new bike tracks also to be built.
Cyclists will also benefit from a new velodrome track. It is hoped this will be of world championship calibre, in line with the new pump tracks. The velo track is due to be the first project to be completed, in 2023.
In addition, a heritage centre will be developed with trails around the park, alongside a focus on public art throughout the park, as well as improvements to wildlife habitats and nature conservation such as more woodland, pollinators, a fish passage and wildlife corridors.
The council plans to improve travel connections to the park from neighbouring communities, with less vehicle traffic and more opportunities for active travel with walking and cycling routes.
Renewable energy installations – including solar panels and a water source heat pump – will provide green energy for electricity and heating. The council has been working with Greenspace Scotland since last year to establish the potential energy output at the park. It is thought that a £200,000 installation at the Watersports Centre could save over 5000 tonnes of carbon dioxide over 20 years.
In the first year and a half of this project, the council will raise awareness of the plans and refine the details to allow for planning permission to be obtained for all of these proposals, and it is hoped that this will be in place by the end of next year.
“Our ambition is to change the way we use our parks and greenspaces, from passive leisure use to active community hubs that increase the many benefits of these valuable community assets,” said Robert Steenson, executive director of Enterprise and Communities.
“The coronavirus pandemic has clearly demonstrated the importance of greenspace for health and wellbeing and as a significant preventative health resource.
“Our plans will put country parks at the heart of our communities, with improved active travel routes allowing more people to visit and make them attractive destinations for families, walkers and cyclists, sports enthusiasts, schools and community groups.
“Public parks are free for everyone to use, and we want provide something for everyone who visits.”
Planning permission will be sought in 2021 for the overall park masterplan, with access improvements planned for early 2021 and the first art trails in place by the end of 2021.
Meanwhile, at Palacerigg Country Park in Cumbernauld the masterplan builds on the park’s role as a community asset, focusing on play, outdoor activity and wildlife conservation.
In the next two years, the priority will be to improve the core visitor facilities, extending the path network around the park and providing additional car parking.
A new attraction will be created around play facilities for children of all ages, which will complement the existing play areas at the park. Work is expected to start in 2021/22.
Discussions are ongoing with groups for the lease of the former visitor centre building and Palacerigg House, and with a community group interested in running an animal farm attraction.
Work has started on improvements to the path network and ongoing development of the badger trail. Action plans will be developed for nature conservation around Palacerigg and for environmental management of the golf course.
Also, Drumpellier Country Park is being developed as a gateway to the Seven Lochs Wetland Park, a new regional park spanning the Glasgow and North Lanarkshire boundaries between Easterhouse, Coatbridge and Stepps.
Improvements are being finalised to the visitors’ centre with new interpretation on the wildlife and heritage of the park, and future plans are in place for access improvements and habitat enhancement focussed on peatlands.
A report that went before councillors said: “Financial implications for the significant programme of development detailed above total approximately £7m for Palacerigg Country Park and £50-100m for Strathclyde Country Park.
“There are significant opportunities to access external funding for projects of this nature, however some level of match funding is usually required and it is likely that a significant proportion of project costs may need to be met by the council.
“A fundraising strategy is being developed and early discussions are underway with potential funders such as the National Lottery.
“It is likely that commercial investment could be obtained for some elements of the programme and this will form part of the funding strategy.”