Park boost
Council offers protection after selling land to neighbours
Holmhills Wood Community Park in Cambuslang could enjoy more protection from development if a new proposal gets the go-ahead.
South Lanarkshire Council want to make the facility a local nature reserve.
The much-loved Holmhills Wood Community Park could enjoy more protection from development if a new proposal gets the go ahead.
South Lanarkshire Council – which last year sold off part of the park to neighbouring households – is proposing to make the facility a local nature reserve.
Running from Greenlees Road to Langlea Drive, Holmhills Park is an important part of the green space in Cambuslang.
It includes Holmhills Wood, wildflower meadows, a pond, sports pitches and provides an outdoor learning space for Cathkin and Rutherglen high schools.
The park is one of 14 green spaces in the county which are under review as part of South Lanarkshire Council’s Main Issues Report – a preliminary report created as part of the local development plan.
The proposal states: “Local nature reserves will enable the council to demonstrate its duty to further the conservation of biodiversity.
“A local nature reserve is a place where people can experience nature and natural environments close to home which can be managed in partnership with communities.
“A network of local nature reserves, close to major settlements, will also contribute to the wider outcomes associated with sustainable communities, health and wellbeing and outdoor learning.”
The move has been welcomed by Friends of Holmhills Wood Community Park, who last year were enraged by the council’s decision to sell off part of the park to nearby households looking to create larger gardens.
Hilary Paton, of the volunteer group set up to improve the state of the park, said: “We have not seen the full details as yet, but we will consider it at our forthcoming meeting on May 4.
“We would hope that any official designation as a local nature reserve can only be a good thing if it offers more protection for Holmhills Park.”
In another move to protect the environment and wildlife, the council is also considering identifying some areas as local nature conservation sites.
This designation aims to give protection to local wildlife and biodiversity.
It includes a 3.9hectare site situated off Westburn Road, between Westburn cemetery and Cambuslang Golf Course.
The reports states: “The council is considering the identification of local conservation nature sites to give a level of protection to locally important sites for wildlife and biodiversity.
“Due to the size of South Lanarkshire it is proposed that this be undertaken in phases with priority given to the greenbelt around settlements as this is where there is greatest development pressure.”
Friends of Holmhills Wood Community Park always welcome new members. For more information see the group’s Facebook page.