Work begins on Blantyre environmental project

Jun 19 2008 by Graham Fraser

CONSTRUCTION work has commenced on an environmental project which aims to improve the physical and mental health of people living in the Blantyre area.

The first stages of the work have now been carried out at the T.A.C.T Hall in Coatshill.

In April, the £85,600 project was given the go-ahead by councillors on South Lanarkshire Council’s estates committee.

A one-year lease was granted to the Tenants’ Association of Coatshill and Thornhill (T.A.C.T) for the development.

It is believed construction will be finished by November.

Bill Pinkerton, project chairman, commented: “I am absolutely elated that this project has now started.

“It has been hard work to get here. We had to get the funding and then permission from the council to build it.

“This project will take some young people off the streets and teach them some practical skills.

“A special thank-you must go to Harte Construction of Bothwell. The company supplied their men and machinery for three days without charge, saving us thousands of pounds in construction costs.”

Councillor Bert Thomson, who was present at the first steps of the construction, added: “The T.A.C.T Hall is the success story of Blantyre.

“It is central to local life in Coatshill and the rest of the Blantyre and provides so much for the community.

“It is fantastic that this project is now off the ground and I hope it will expand in the future.”

Eventually, T.A.C.T will build a tool shop and a poly tunnel — a cost-effective greenhouse — at the back of the voluntary group’s Hillview Drive hall.

T.A.C.T will also install a wind generator and solar power panels to utilise renewable energy.

The site will be enclosed by a three-metre high security fence.

It is hoped the workshop area will be used by educational institutions, such as colleges and universities.

The voluntary organisation have also held talks with the NHS to utilise the garden areas for the therapeutic care of mental health patients.

The project has been in the pipeline for four-and-a-half years.

Greenspace Scotland will provide the majority of funding, while local community regeneration projects Changing Places, Pride of Place and the council’s Community Resources countryside and greenspace initiative will also contribute towards the costs.

Community resources will meet the utility costs for the first year of the project’s operation.