Plans continue to improve Ravenscraig
Councillors have approved proposals that will open up the possibility of gaining access to the massive Ravenscraig site from the south rather than having to enter from the north.
In a virtual online meeting North Lanarkshire Council’s enterprise projects manager Kate Bryson gave a presentation to members of the Enterprise and Growth Committee with information about the proposals, which will now be referred to the Glasgow City Region cabinet which oversees several projects intended to bring economic benefits to several local authority areas.
The masterplan for the redevelopment of the 376-hectare former steelworks site was approved last year and will result in homes and facilities for around 12,000 people.
While presenting this preliminary report, Ms Bryson said: “What’s being shown here is all the potential that Ravenscraig has and we as a committee are more aware of that than anyone.
“The economic development potential that it has for North Lanarkshire and the Glasgow City Region is really underpinning this business case.”
Ms Bryson said that plans highlighted potential for residential development, businesses providing jobs, and amenities such as Ravenscraig Park.
“I think that given the scale of the site it is easy to get lost or to think that the infrastructure for Ravenscraig is delivered. That is not the case,” she added.
“The infrastructure that we want to deliver through this project provides that secondary southern access to the site although we’ve improved access to the north of the site.
“By opening up this new southern access - at the moment everything has to come through the college - there will be, subject to approval of this project, a new southern access.”
Ms Bryson added that there were numerous potential investors interested in Ravenscraig. “We want to provide the infrastructure to ensure that interest keeps going,” she said.
Motherwell West councillor Meghan Gallacher expressed concern at an apparent lack of public consultation so far in the process.
She said: “There are various different housing estates which will be severely impacted by this, particularly in my ward as you head up towards Ravenscraig.
“In relation to new builds, and people who have moved into the area, they probably don’t know the history of the dualling of this road.
“I’m a little concerned we’re improving something that the public might not actually want.”
Ms Bryson said the council had written to residents and businesses likely to be affected, particularly in the vicinity of Airbles Road and Greenacres and confirmed further consultation would be carried out.