A CONTROVERSIAL move to build a massive new industrial zone in the heart of the former Ravenscraig steelworks site has been rejected by the Scottish Government.
John G Russell Transport Limited wanted to create a railhead logistics hub as part of a £200m plan to redevelop the land – a bid that infuriated locals who said it would see convoys of HGVS brought past their homes.
They labelled the plan a ‘complete U-turn’ on the original masterplan for the disused site and claimed if approved would mean around 800 trucks driving through Motherwell and its surrounding villages each day.
Members of the Ravenscraig Community Action Group took their fight to block the development to Holyrood - backed by Labour MSP Monica Lennon and Green MSP Gillian Mackay - after the firm appealed the initial decision by North Lanarkshire Council to toss out the planning application.
Scottish Government reporter Christopher Warren published his findings in a report on Tuesday – and said he believed the proposals would be ‘out of place’ with the area.
He said: “The overarching principle of development would broadly align with the development plan.
“However, that broad policy alignment is subject to the development being of a scale and nature that would be compatible with its surroundings. I have outlined matters of relative detail which do not satisfy the relevant development plan policy requirements.
“Coupled to those issues it is the absence of broader strategic thinking over the spatial implications of the development for Ravenscraig which together become determinative.
“Given the importance of ensuring that whatever form its regeneration ultimately takes, it would need to be shown to be capable of still becoming a ‘successful place’, this is a critical omission.”
READ MORE: This would bring 800 lorries past our front doors every day
He added: “The uncertainty and risk this development would give rise to for the wider regeneration area is a significant material consideration. Taken in the round, I find these outweigh the areas of policy support I have identified and the considerable benefits of the proposed development.
“For the reasons set out above, I conclude that the proposed development does not accord overall with the relevant provisions of the development plan and that there are no material considerations which would still justify granting planning permission.
“Therefore, I recommend that planning permission is refused.”
Commenting on the decision, Ms Lennon said: “It is brilliant that the collective action and immense effort from Ravenscraig Community Action Group and residents has led to the railhead appeal being refused by the Scottish Government.
“The grassroots group has worked tirelessly to stand up for their local community and I am so proud to call them my constituents.
“This is an incredibly positive milestone for the Ravenscraig community.
“The focus must now turn to delivering the Ravenscraig promise and ensuring the area is set up to thrive for generations to come.”
Fiona Morrison, Vice-Chair of the Ravenscraig Community Action Group, said: “With the future of Ravenscraig and Motherwell on the line, we couldn’t let Russell Group, Ravenscraig Ltd and a speculative development cast aside two decades of planned progress and investment by North Lanarkshire Council, Scottish and UK governments.
“This is an important win for Ravenscraig and people-powered political campaigns. It’s a reminder that good people can do great things in their own communities. But our win is also a warning to Ravenscraig Limited, public and private developers more broadly that best practice place-making demands genuine engagement and inclusion for communities as areas grown and develop. We won’t stand for imposed development.”
The ‘Ravenscraig Promise’ was made to a generation of steelworkers to build a cleaner, better, brighter and more sustainable future for their families. It looked to recognise the national significance of Ravenscraig as one of Europe’s largest and most ambitious urban transformation programmes, but many former employees and their families feel the vow has never been fulfilled.
Campaigners say they will now continue to have the site redeveloped for the wider prosperity of the people who live there.
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