Masterplan to build ‘new front door to East Kilbride’
Council to discuss proposals for crumbling Civic Centre
A “strategic masterplan” for East Kilbride town centre which could see a new purpose-built civic facility is to be put before the council next month.
Last March we told how radical new plans could see the crumbling Civic Centre replaced with “a new front door to East Kilbride”.
Despite there being no specific proposals agreed at this stage, South Lanarkshire Council has confirmed that agents of the owners are set to present their strategic masterplan to elected members in February.
Early proposals include town centre housing and the transformation of the former Sainsbury’s Olympia unit into a purpose-built civic facility on the doorstep of the bus station and shopping centre.
A spokesman for the local authority said: “The council is discussing with the owners of the East Kilbride Civic Centre how we can offer support in partnership with the various stakeholders.
“There are no specific proposals agreed at this stage of the proceedings but a strategic masterplan is being finalised by the agents of the owners and is hoped to be presented to us, for discussion by elected members, next month.”
South Lanarkshire Council’s executive director for community and enterprise, Michael McGlynn, unveiled the plans at an East Kilbride area committee meeting last year, calling it “a really good opportunity”.
He outlined the options for the dilapidated Civic Centre, including “ongoing investment” should it be retained – an option that may not “represent best value”.
He added: “Our main focus has been looking at the Civic Centre building itself.
“Has the building come to the end of its natural use? Our estimation is that it is now beyond its economic life as a building.”
Mr McGlynn’s presentation questioned whether there was scope to redevelop the centre site and the economic benefits available should it be transformed.
Developing the current building was seen as “a suboptimal solution” and that moving civic functions to a new facility in place of the empty Sainsbury’s unit – which is being considered for demolition – could benefit the council and town centre owners.
That could pave the way for new town centre housing, but councillors were concerned this could just be sold off to developers.
Meanwhile, the council say there is “no definitive date” for the closure of Lindsay House.
Plans are in place by the local authority to move the controversial homeless unit – which they say is no longer fit for purpose – into more suitable premises.
This comes after a News campaign calling for urgent action after years of drink and drug-fuelled anti-social behaviour linked to the unit caused misery for Village businesses and residents.
In 2019 we revealed that the police had been called to Lindsay House almost 700 times over a two-year period.
Daniel Lowe, executive director of housing and technical resources, said: “Linked to the council’s wider plans for tackling homelessness and providing suitable temporary and supported accommodation across the council area, proposals for the reprovisioning of services currently provided from Lindsay House are in development.
“Services currently provided from Lindsay House will continue with no definitive date for its
closure at this time.”