Work on the billion pound Ravenscraig project moved another giant step forward today, Wednesday 11 May 2005, following North Lanarkshire Council’s Planning and Environment Committee’s decision to release the planning permission for the development, in spite of a last ditch appeal by property developers to the House of Lords.

Today’s decision means that detailed plans can now be prepared to progress key on-site developments such as the proposed 3,500 new homes, the relocation of Motherwell College and a multi-million pound regional sports facility.

Welcoming today’s decision, Councillor Jim McCabe, Leader of North Lanarkshire Council explained, "Ravenscraig is an economic regeneration project of national importance and work on this development must press ahead to deliver the range of economic benefits that will be felt across Lanarkshire and the west of Scotland. The committee has taken this decision to avoid any further delay to this vital project."

Councillor James Coyle, Convener of the Planning Committee echoed this view. "The committee has made a very positive decision and one which marks real progress for Ravenscraig."

And the Ravenscraig Partnership, comprising Wilson Bowden Developments Ltd, Scottish Enterprise Lanarkshire and Corus, are keen to bring forward the Ravenscraig development. Millions of pounds have already been invested in this huge site, mostly in removing contamination, constructing the main spine road system and preparing development platforms. The council has received a letter of intent from the developers indicating that if planning permission is granted, notwithstanding the appeal to the House of Lords, they intend to progress with implementation of their joint venture partnership and make a start on the Ravenscraig development as soon as possible.

The regeneration of the former steelworks site is one of the largest urban regeneration projects in Europe and will bring thousands of jobs to the area as well as providing new retail, leisure and sports facilities for the area. It will be a vital boost to the local economy of Lanarkshire and is an important part of the ongoing regeneration of the whole area. This project is vital to the revitalisation of the North Lanarkshire economy and the council will not allow it to be delayed by property developers with a clear interest in blocking this billion pound initiative for their own self-interest.

Proposals contained in the application, which is the largest ever handled by any Scottish council, and which extends to 466 hectares (1,151 acres), include:-

• 9,000 new full time jobs and a further 3,000 construction jobs to support the development;
• Up to 3,500 new homes;
• A new town centre, with up to 57,600 square metres of retail floorspace, offices and other services, food and drink, major leisure facilities, a hotel, residential and community facilities;
• Multi-million pound regional sports facility;
• Major parkland areas;
• New roads, bus facilities and a new rail station;
• Two new primary schools, and
• Up to 216,000 square metres of business space.

In addition, the majority of the land involved in this application is brownfield and the site accounts for some 420 hectares of land on the Vacant and Derelict Land Register – 38.5% of North Lanarkshire’s derelict land.

The towns of Motherwell and Wishaw will capitalise on Ravenscraig’s development as new action plans for sustainable regeneration projects have been outlined. These plans will be progressed and be delivered in tandem with the development of Ravenscraig.

Councillor McCabe added, "The latest time-wasting appeal, which has been made to the House of Lords recently by the companies representing the nearby shopping centre of East Kilbride has angered the council.

"Their case has already been considered by the Court of Session which made a unanimous and unequivocal decision against the companies, and we believe that their latest appeal is also highly unlikely to succeed. Our legal advice strongly supports this view, and the Planning and Environment Committee has accordingly agreed to issue the long delayed planning consent for the regeneration of the Ravenscraig site."

Ends.