Lanarkshire gets a makeover

A new look Lanarkshire is promised

By Mike Lloyd For BBC News Online

Regeneration projects are aiming to turn North Lanarkshire's landscape from grim to green.

Two community parks are planned for Gartlea and Northburn in the latest phase of the region's bid to rid itself of the decaying detritus of heavy industry.

The local authority has already shown how successful regeneration can be, with its million pound, award-winning clean-up at Green Moss.

Now the council is focussing on smaller parks closer to local communities.

"It's a great idea," said Agnes McFarlane of Gartlea Community Council.

"We've always lacked for somewhere that children can play safely around here."

Community environment

Mike Batley of the Central Scotland Forest Trust says it is not just the children who will benefit from this post-industrial landscape clean-up.

"We listen to what the community wants and woodland access was particularly important to people in Gartlea."

Once earmarked for a golf course and housing, some landscaping had already taken place on the site.

But instead of the thwack of club on ball, the park will echo to the swish of flying plastic, since "Frisbee Golf" is one of the planned new uses for Gartlea.

"We had the committee of the National Frisbee Golf Association up here to take a look and they reckon it's ideal, " said Mike Batley.

And, in case you are wondering, Frisbee Golf is taken very seriously.

Top scores go to competitors who have the most strikes against a wooden post!

Greenhead Moss shows the way

Northburn is already well known for its environmental value - it is the home to a rare kind of moss.

Conservationists will manage its woodlands.

These will be enhanced with wildflower meadows and improved footpaths. There will be nature guides and information about the local environment .

Plans here also include recycling and composting facilities for local residents.

Green lung

But the park will be more than an educational resource and recycling centre. The council hopes to create a "green lung' for the area.

"Lanarkshire is badly scarred by its industrial past," said Martin McMahon, head of parks in North Lanarkshire.

Mr McMahon says the council is very keen to work with partners such as Scottish Natural Heritage and the Central Scotland Forest Trust.

"Thanks to their involvement, we are able to access funds which are not normally available to the council."