Protesters hold demo against Crofthead Park development deal

Sep 9 2010 by Alastair McNeill, Hamilton Advertiser

THE campaign to halt building work on Uddingston’s Crofthead Park will step up a gear this weekend.

A demonstration is being held in the park this Sunday afternoon to highlight opposition to a council deal with a builder approved at the end of June.

Campaigners, Save Crofthead Park Action Group, have also sought legal advice about the matter.

South Lanarkshire Council estates committee approved a 174-year lease of the park land to Alexander Braidwood Ltd – for a one-off payment of £210,000 and a nominal rent of £1 per year – for a new health centre on the park.

However, this sparked uproar over the loss of a “community asset”.

Save Crofthead Park Action Group have been holding weekly meetings over the summer months to take the campaign forward.

They are in favour of a new village health centre, but not on the park site.

The group’s Jimmy Keenan said this week: “We’ve been lobbying councillors, the health board, Lincluden surgery and builders Braidwood’s as well as MSPs.

“We’ve heard from officials and the chief executive, but the position remains the same.

“We’re obviously unhappy about his, but have sought legal advice on the matter and understand a case can be made to keep the park as a children’s play area.

“Sunday’s demonstration will give residents of Uddingston the chance to make their feelings known about the selling off of an important public asset.”

Uddingston and Bothwell councillor Jim McGuigan is also opposed the council’s deal with Braidwood’s and believes it does not represent ‘best value’ for council taxpayers.

The Lincluden Surgery, however, have pointed out that their existing premises on Bellshill Road are no longer suitable.

The surgery’s Dr Bruce Thomson has said that following discussions the only suitable site for a new surgery was on part of the park.

The development, he said, “will allow the practice to continue to offer medical services to all the population of Uddingston and Bothwell who wish to register, and will be suitable for expected population growth.

“There were no other sites in Uddingston which met the above criteria.”

The demonstration at Crofthead Park will begin at 2.30pm on Sunday and, Mr Keenan pointed out, all are welcome to attend.