Civic park plan for former 'Craig site

North Lanarkshire Council is moving forward with plans to create a civic park at Ravenscraig.
The civic park will be located to the south of Ravencraig Regional Sports FacilityThe civic park will be located to the south of Ravencraig Regional Sports Facility
The civic park will be located to the south of Ravencraig Regional Sports Facility

Back in the February the Housing and Enterprise committee revealed the local authority intended to acquire land on the former steelworks site to develop a new public greenspace.

The council has now told Ravenscraig Ltd of its intention to move forward with the acquisition using money from the Vacant and Derelict Land Fund.

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This 7.04 hectares brownfield site sits to the east of Robberhall Road and south of the Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility.

Negotiations have taken place with Ravenscraig Ltd and the council will initially enter into a lease for 60 years paying £1 million up front.

The rent thereafter will be a nominal £1 per annum with the council having the right to purchase the land at anytime during the lease for £1.

The council is still to complete evaluating the ground investigation works, and a detailed remediation strategy will need to developed alongside the design in advance of a planning application being made.

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Motherwell South East and Ravenscraig councillor Kenneth Duffy has welcomed the proposal.

He said: “I’m delighted that the ambitious plans for the regeneration of the Ravenscraig site are moving forward.

“This civic park proposal will ensure that much-needed community space is available, which in turn will support residential development on site.

“This administration is working closely with all partners to ensure that the new Ravenscraig plans are a success.

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“We have already secured funding through the Glasgow City Region Deal to fund a £190 million roads’ programme to boost the regeneration and create 6700 jobs.

“This will effectively join the M74 in the south with the M80 in the north, and increase private sector investment in Ravenscraig.

“It will also see an improved public transport hub at Motherwell train station incorporating access improvements, park and ride expansion, active travel links and new public realm works.

“I will continue to do all I can to ensure that residents’ views are reflected throughout this process and would urge all to attend one of these consultation events to have their say.

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“I am extremely proud to be part of the administration that is finally delivering a bright future for such an iconic site.”

Two community consultation events will be held at Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility on October 9 and November 27 from 3.30-7.30pm for residents to share their views.