North Lanarkshire gets funding boost for greenspaces from National Lottery Heritage Fund
North Lanarkshire will receive a funding boost for greenspaces from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The first of its kind, this new programme announced by Natural England, National Trust and The National Lottery Heritage Fund with expert advice provided by NatureScot and other UK nature agencies, aims to help at least 100 places across the UK to become greener, healthier, happier places for people to live and work.
Approximately £640,000 will be spent by the creation of a ground-breaking 'environmental justice map' – including a digital platform highlighting areas of greatest need and visual representations of what North Lanarkshire could become, ensuring voices are heard in shaping a greener future.
This initiative addresses profound need in an area where nearly 69 per cent of residents live within 500 meters of a derelict site - significantly higher than the Scottish average of 26.5 per cent.
At its heart is a commitment to co-creation with communities through consultation.
Residents will help prioritise investment and develop designs for 18 projects to enhance existing natural networks and create habitat connections, with the support of two full-time specialists and a cohort of greenspace ambassadors.
A sustainable funding model will explore innovative green finance options like habitat banking and green auditing.
Eilish McGuinness, Chief Executive, The National Lottery Heritage Fund said: 'I am delighted to announce an investment of £15 million which will help 40 towns and cities across the UK better plan their urban nature recovery, connecting people and communities to their natural environment in the places they live.
'We have invested over £1bn in regenerating over 900 urban parks and green spaces over the last 30 years, helping nature thrive in towns everywhere – and this exciting initiative, working with partners right across the UK, will continue to build on this investment and give millions of people better access to nature close to home.'
NatureScot Chief Executive, Nick Halfhide added: 'Our urban greenspaces are where most people connect with nature on a day-to-day basis, and we know that access to nature offers benefits for everyone's health and well-being.
'This money will help Fife and North Lanarkshire to attract private investment into their greenspaces. Both local authorities have ambitious plans to work with the communities most in need of the transformational benefits urban greenspaces offer.
'We can't wait to help them make the most of these opportunities.'
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