Latest news with #HelenLoughran
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Planning officers approved council's Strathclyde Park watersports refurbishment project
The revamp, which will include building a new extension over the roof terrace and provision of new charging points for electric vehicles, has formally received planning permission. Planning officers have approved North Lanarkshire Council's planned refurbishment project at the water sports facility in Strathclyde Country Park. The revamp, which will include building a new extension over the roof terrace and provision of new charging points for electric vehicles, has formally received planning permission. The popular outdoor attraction, which was a venue for the 2014 Commonwealth Games and 2018 European rowing and triathlon championships, has been earmarked as a world class, low carbon 'Park of the Future'. The refurbishment is intended to further boost the facility's appeal as a venue for top level competitions while also providing educational activities and opportunities for schools and community groups. The project is also an important element of the Net Zero by 2030 initiative. A new cafe will also be created to increase passing trade, while the design will also add significant improvements to the building's energy efficiency. A key element of North Lanarkshire Council's regeneration project is to reduce the building's carbon footprint by at least 80 per cent by retro-fitting super-efficient insulation and generating energy from a heat pump in the loch and from solar panels on the roof. Increased electric vehicle charging infrastructure will be provided along with better cycle storage and refreshed changing rooms, encouraging active and low carbon travel to the site. 'The Watersports Centre building has provided a base for activities at the park for 50 years and this transformative project will give it a bright new future,' said Councillor Helen Loughran, convener of the council's Environment and Climate Change Committee. 'We will reduce its carbon footprint, making the building more efficient and sustainable to run, and provide multi-purpose spaces for community groups and others to use as well as creating spaces for small businesses.' The first stage of work has started to improve the building entrance and access, ahead of the main work within the Watersports Centre building in the autumn. The project is expected to be complete in spring 2027. Ryan Broadley, Managing Director of Linear Design and Construct, who are carrying out the building works, said: 'We're really pleased to be working with North Lanarkshire Council and hub South West on this retrofit project. 'As a local contractor, it means a lot to be involved in work at Strathclyde Park, a spot that's close to home and loved by many of our team.' Tom McEwan, Development Manager at hub South West, who are helping organise the project, said: 'This milestone marks the redevelopment of Strathclyde Water Sports Centre. It represents a major investment in community wellbeing, sustainability, and inclusive access to sport. 'At hub South West, we're proud to collaborate with North Lanarkshire Council and our delivery partners, Linear to breathe new life into this important facility. 'Reimagining and reusing existing public assets is central to our mission, and this project is a great example of how strategic refurbishment and retrofit can create long-term value for both people and place.' *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- General
- Scottish Sun
Town branded ‘worst in Scotland' set for major £3million revamp
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A TOWN branded the "worst in Scotland" is set for a major £3million revamp. Cumbernauld, near Glasgow, was hailed as a vision of the future when it was built in the years after the second world war. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Cumbernauld was voted "most dismal" town centre in 2001 and 2005 Credit: Alan MacGregor Ewing 2 The town is to undergo a five-year wildlife restoration Credit: Alan MacGregor Ewing But it has repeatedly been handed the title of Scotland's worst eyesore due to its "spirit-sapping" brutalist architecture. It was voted "most dismal" town centre in the 2001 and 2005 Carbuncle awards, which were scrapped in 2017. Now the town is to undergo a five-year wildlife restoration which will see thousands of trees planted and tens of thousands of wildflowers sown. Planned works include managing over 330 hectares of woodland, enhancing over 20 hectares of wildflower meadows and removing invasive non-native species and garden escapees that threaten Cumbernauld's native wildlife. Read more money SHOP JOY Major fashion & homeware retailer set to arrive in Scots town near Glasgow The National Lottery Heritage Fund has now confirmed £2.6million support for the project. The initiative will create six full-time jobs and a further six trainee opportunities over the life of the project. Councillor Helen Loughran, Convener of our Environment and Climate Change Committee, said: "This is an exciting project for Cumbernauld and North Lanarkshire, and we are delighted the National Lottery Heritage Funding will enable us to build on the excellent work done through the Cumbernauld Living Landscapes Partnership. "Some of the work we'll be carrying out with our partners involves planting 2,000 new trees, improving access at Westfield & Cumbernauld Community Park, enhancing grasslands and managing woodland at Abronhill and Palacerigg Country Park. "As a result, we'll see improvements to local biodiversity, habitats for wildlife and sustainable development of woodland." Some residents of Cumbernauld say it's a wonderful place to live and a magnet for fans of hit TV series Outlander. Our posh village is now ghost town strewn with empty homes Criticism has often been directed at the Centre Cumbernauld, the commercial hub of the town, which was built in the Sixties and housed shops, apartments, a hotel, an ice rink and a police station. As well as helping the town be a double winner of the Carbuncle, it was voted 'Britain's most hated building' in 2005. But some locals say the criticism is unfair. SNP councillor Adam Smith said: "We've got Wardpark Studios where Outlander's been filmed. And people come from across the world because of Gregory's Girl.' SNP MSP Jamie Hepburn added: "As someone who not only represents the town but who lives there I can say I am incredibly proud of Cumbernauld. Of course we have issues to deal with, but what town of 50,000 people doesn't? 'The albatross around our neck is the town centre. Everyone knows it is outdated and has been run down over the years but finally there are plans to replace it with something new. 'But Cumbernauld is much more than its town centre. With amazing greenspaces, superb community organisations and great people it is a wonderful place to live.'
