A POTENTIAL development to transform part of a Balornock park into a thriving wetland has been hailed as an “important” step in tackling climate change.

Proposals have been put forward to turn a two-hectare portion of Broomfield Park into an urban marsh filled with seawater.

The move would help the creation of a “climate-tech village” to provide an environmental boost to some of the city’s most deprived areas – aimed at helping Glasgow reach its targets on carbon neutrality.

It’s understood the project will transform barren land at the pitches near to Broomfield Road.

Councillor Martin McElroy said: “I’m looking forward to seeing more details of what the project will look like.

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“There is huge potential for something positive to be done at Broomfield Road and hopefully the plans include working with the local primary schools and other community groups.

“Budget cuts have meant that the park has been neglected for a while now, so any investment is to be welcomed.”

Glasgow City Council’s neighbourhoods, regeneration and sustainability team has been working alongside Seawater Solutions and the University of Strathclyde to develop the Glasgow Wetland Carbon Capture Project (GWCCP).

The project would create a “carbon sink” which would act as a natural flood barrier and “address contaminated land issues”.

It is also expected to encourage wildlife to return to the site and increase the area’s biodiversity.

Early discussions are understood to have taken place, with public consultation due to be launched soon.

A council document reads: “Seawater Solutions plans to turn a two-hectare site at Broomfield Park into a thriving urban wetland, restoring value to under-utilised land, and providing social and economic support to the local communities.

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“Seawater has submitted a funding application to Innovate UK’s The Sustainable Innovation Fund for Capital and Revenue to deliver this trial project in its first year.”

The UK Urban AgriTech Collective, a cross-industry group promoting urban agricultural technology as a solution for food and environmental crises, has also joined forces with the organisations.

Innovate UK executive chair Dr Ian Campbell said: “In these difficult times we have seen the best of British business innovation. The pandemic is not just a health emergency but one that impacts society and the economy.

“GWCCP, along with every initiative Innovate UK has supported through this fund, is an important step forward in driving sustainable economic development. Each one is also helping to realise the ambitions of hard-working people.”

Gavin Slater, head of sustainability at Glasgow City Council, said: “We are delighted to support this project to create wetlands within the city that will capture carbon, create local green jobs for deprived communities, make better use of vacant land across the city, provide innovative climate change mitigation solutions and have the potential to create significant new revenue streams for green investment in the city.”