HUB PLAN DASHED

Residents’hopes for centre lie in tatters

Plans for a new community hub in Wishaw appear to be dead within a matter of weeks.

Earlier this month, we revealed that members of Coltness Community Council had hoped to take over the Edward Lawson Centre, which North Lanarkshire Council seem set to deem surplus to requirements with the land and building likely to be leased and sold off completely.

However, this week the Wishaw

Press has been handed a document stating the council are beginning the process of assessing the site for its residential development potential.

Up to 30 homes could be built on the site and once feedback is received then the site will be presented to the Housing and Regeneration Committee in order to seek authorisation to proceed.

Murdostoun councillor Cameron McManus said: “Personally I would be in favour of a community asset transfer. When you speak to people in Coltness they tell me that there is nothing for their kids to do.

“A centre on their doorstep would be an ideal move. Previously a local group lost out on transferring the old Coltness Community Centre and speaking to several organisations they are all keen to be part of a community transfer.”

Members of Coltness Community Council took to social media

to ask members of the public what they would like to see and if it would be possible to complete a community buyout of the building.

Community council chairman John Carr said: “I’m disappointed but not surprised. I had the feeling the council would want to use the site for housing.

“It’s another community asset that is set to be lost but North Lanarkshire Council seem intent to be going down that road. I hope that people who are on the housing list here in Coltness will be able to move in to these new homes should they be built.

“On top of that, there will be 30 new homes on Coltness Road, which is already really busy with traffic.”

Earlier this month, a council spokesperson confirmed NLC was reviewing the status of the centre. The spokesperson added: “The council is reviewing all its property assets at this time due to a number of new operating practices being deployed across the authority.

“The Edward Lawson Centre is being considered for surplus to its current operational use and, on completion of this process, alternative options for the site will be considered.”