Ambitious plans are revealed to boost village

Plans have been unveiled to create a new community centre in an area of Shotts.

Proposals have been submitted to North Lanarkshire Council (NLC) to replace Springhill Community Hall.

The plans would also see the installation of a new cycle pump track, children’s play area, community growing garden, multi-use sports pitch, pathways, parking and landscaping.

Submitted to NLC by Getting BetterTogether (GBT) Shotts, it’s hoped the plans will breathe new life into a centre that had been threatened with closure in 2019 before an asset transfer deal to GBT.

In its design statement, GBT said: “The project will form part of a cohesive regeneration scheme which will see the renewal of this hall and the establishment of a bespoke facility that can meet the needs of local people.

“Moreover, it will also include the redevelopment of the surrounding community-owned land to include sports, play, community growing and family areas that will provide a new focal point for community life and active participation within Springhill.

“This will allow a range of local people to access a wide range of important facilities.”

The existing Springhill Senior Citizens Centre is a relatively small structure in a large footprint of land.

It is used for local service delivery, including a vibrant parents and toddlers group, but is short of space and finds it difficult to meet demand.

The building has been around for some time providing voluntary led local services in the area.

A recent threat of closure was delayedduetoacommunity campaign and with operation of the building taken over from North Lanarkshire Council by GBT.

This has been followed up by a drive by GBT to secure funding to develop the site and building as a multi-purpose community hub achieving social and economic impact in a local asset

The design statement continues: “The new building closely replaces the existing hall space and kitchen in scale, but adds enhanced and accessible toilet facilities, more generous circulation space, and a new internet radio room / music facility for use by youth groups.”

In addition to creating a community hall, the hub aims to incorporate a number of outdoor facilities, including: a children’s play area; a community garden; an enclosed toddler play space; formal and informal pathways linking the hub to local communities; a cycle pump track; a multi-court pitch; and accessible parking and cycle racks.

Dependentonfundingand project costs it may be that“some of the external features are developed on a phased basis”.