Lanark Development Trust hits back at claims of £70,000 per parking space

The Trust is continuing to work with Discover Lanark and South Lanarkshire Council to improve the town.

And it was successful in gaining funding from the Scottish Government’s Town Centre Fund 2019-2020 to remove two derelict eyesores from the town landscape.

One of those projects – the removal of the derelict building in Hunter’s Close – was criticised by community councillor Ed Archer.

But his information that the project would create just three new car parking spaces, effectively at a cost of £70,000 each, has been stringly refuted by the trust.

In a statement to the Gazette, the trust says: “We proposed five projects and were successful in gaining funding for two – the demolition of the Royal Oak Hotel (frontage restored) and the derelict building in the Hunter’s Close car park with additional car parking and close improvements.

“With regards to the Hunter’s Close (43 High Street) project, which has received social media and press coverage in recent weeks, Lanark Community Development Trust wishes to clarify the usage of the Town Centre Fund monies, project scope and benefits.

“Lanark Community Development Trust was originally awarded £180,000 of Town Centre Fund monies to implement the Hunter’s Close (43 High Street) project.

“A further £77,000 was committed by South Lanarkshire Council via the Scottish Governments Town centre Fund Phase 2, announced on November 24, to ensure successful delivery of the project and additional complementary works.

“The total estimated project cost of £257,000 covers:

• Site surveys;

• Statutory consents;

• Design and project management;

• Systematic demolition of the building and foundations, and removal from site;

• Reinstatement of shared boundary walls;

• Installation of new drainage;

• Raising of site levels to accommodate the development;

• Street lighting to the new car parking/events area;

• Construction of car park sub-base with roadway being finished in asphalt and car parking bays being finished in stone sets;

• Introduction of two disabled bays to the north of the site that will be finished in asphalt and appropriately lined;

• General maintenance of soft landscaping;

• Partial resurfacing of existing carpark roadway;

• Additional upgrading of Hunter’s Close from High Street.

“There are currently nine parking spaces at the south of the site.

“Once the derelict building is removed the parking area to the south of the site behind Flower of Scotland can increase from 9 to 15 spaces.”

The trust pointed out that the derelict building had been vacant for well over a decade and that during this period South Lanarkshire Council had received no viable proposals for the retention of the property.

In terms of the Community Empowerment Act, the Council is required to undertake consultation when considering changes in use of or disposal (including leases) of common good assets.

Lanark Community Development Trust and the Royal Burgh of Lanark Community Council were invited to submit responses to the consultation.