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| Description
The towns of Newmains and Shotts are located in the south of North Lanarkshire. The area comprises a number of small settlements and several woodland areas. A number of key claimed rights of way connect Shotts with its surrounding rural area, whilst some Central Scotland Countryside Trust routes have been developed around Newmains. The South Calder water forms an important axis crossing the area. The area includes a number of nature conservation sites. |
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Key Issues
More coherent community networks are required, as a means of encouraging local people to walk, cycle or ride more often. As part of this, the area would benefit from provision of improved links to form circular routes. The countryside in this area has been shaped over the years by mineral working, leaving many areas in need of reclamation. In addition, some areas have been outlined in the Local Plan as opportunities for future mineral extraction. The area is covered in part by the North Lanarkshire Social Inclusion Partnership.
Action Area Vision
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Development of more coherent local networks, helping to link local communities with their surrounding countryside. Ensuring that environmental change takes into account access provision. |
Priorities
North Lanarkshire Council should work with the local communities to establish how local networks could be developed. In particular, there is a need to explore in more detail where and how circular routes and key links could be developed to encourage use of existing paths and claimed rights of way. The local communities and land managers should play a central role in developing this.
The local network should aim to secure benefits for the area's communities, through promoting social inclusion and encouraging healthier lifestyles. Initiatives such as the Shotts Healthy Living Centre provide an opportunity to focus local access initiatives on potential health benefits of walking, cycling and riding. Furthermore, better local networks could help to link otherwise excluded members of the community with local facilities.
Continuing land use change in the area should be taken into account. Any environmental regeneration schemes, including those proposed as the reclamation component of new minerals applications, should include access provision as an integral element. Similarly, any future golf course development, such as that proposed at Murdoston to the north of Newmains, should not preclude continued provision of public access.
Implementation
- North Lanarkshire Councils development control officers should work proactively with applicants (minerals operators, golf course designers etc), to ensure that access is considered as an integral part of the project design process.
- There may be support available for the development of community networks through the Coalfields Regeneration Trust.
- The Shotts Healthy Living Centre could become actively involved in promoting access through providing fitness advice etc.
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