Clydesdale communities plan new shop and path upgrades with windfarm funding
South Lanarkshire Council has awarded grants totalling £726,000 from its renewable energy fund to support various community projects in Clydesdale. Projects in Douglas, Coalburn, Lesmahagow, Stonehouse, and Strathaven are set to benefit from the funding distributed by windfarm operators across the area.
In Douglas, plans are underway to convert the Abbeygreen shop into a mini-market with four rentable stalls for traders and entrepreneurs. This project, led by Lesmahagow Development Trust, aims to boost local employment and support other businesses in the area. It will also serve as a space for not-for-profit organisations to showcase their activities, following community consultation and surveys.
Rural Clydesdale organisation Healthy Valleys will receive over £177,000 to continue its Gear Up pilot programme, empowering communities through cycling, walking, and wheeling. This initiative will focus on adventure tourism and cycling schemes, aligning with the community’s priorities for active travel routes.
Additionally, a footpath upgrade project in Douglas, funded by contributions from a local windfarm, will see improvements such as waymarkers, gates, benches, and information boards. The project aims to enhance connectivity and safety for pedestrians and cyclists in the area.
In Coalburn, a nature trail walkway used by the community will undergo upgrades to improve underfoot conditions and prevent flooding. The project, supported by a South Lanarkshire REF grant, will enhance accessibility and connections with surrounding paths.
Furthermore, grants have been allocated for frontage stonework and roof repairs at Strathaven’s town mill, a heritage building used for arts and culture purposes. The restoration work is scheduled to commence in May, with additional funding awarded to restore the historic Alexander Hamilton memorial fountain in Stonehouse.
The initiatives supported by the windfarm funding not only contribute to community development but also promote active travel, reduce carbon emissions, and enhance health and recreation opportunities. These projects reflect a collaborative effort among local councils, organisations, and residents to create sustainable and vibrant communities in Clydesdale.