'Carbuncle' town set for £3m urban greenspace glow-up
Local volunteers will be "at the heart" of Nurturing Natural Connections, giving the Cumbernauld community a key role in helping protect and restore the town's urban greenspaces.
Planned works include managing over 330 hectares of woodland, enhancing over 20 hectares of wildflower meadows and removing invasive non-native species and garden escapees that threaten Cumbernauld's native wildlife.
READ MORE:
Tracy Lambert, Cumbernauld Living Landscape Project Manager, Scottish Wildlife Trust, said: 'From the bluebell displays of Cumbernauld Glen to the river woodlands of Luggiebank, Cumbernauld is home to so much incredible wildlife. Sadly however, much of it is in poor condition and needs a helping hand. For over 10 years, we've proudly worked alongside local communities to restore the town's green spaces, and we're excited to begin our next chapter with Nurturing Natural Connections.'
As well as delivering practical conservation work, the project also aims to upskill local people through advanced skill training and the delivery of citizen science projects that will support North Lanarkshire Council's Local Biodiversity Action Plan. It will also create six full-time jobs, and a further six trainee opportunities over the life of the project.
The work will support the town's infrastructure by advocating for green infrastructure in Community Growth Areas and in the planned redevelopment of the town centre. It will also deliver nature-based solutions to tackle issues around flooding, drought and wildfires.
Ms Lambert added: 'We've seen the devastation caused by the nature and climate crises first-hand here in Cumbernauld, particularly with the recent storms and wildfires. However, we've also seen how powerful nature can be in helping us recover. By implementing nature-based solutions to some of today's biggest challenges, we can build a town that thrives in tandem with the natural environment.'
Cumbernauld Glen (Image: Jamie McDermaid) Eilish McGuinness, Chief Executive, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: 'This is a game changing project for Cumbernauld. With nearly £3 million funding thanks to National Lottery players, the Nurturing Natural Connections project is set to transform the town's vital green spaces and places — connecting the community to nature and natural heritage on the doorstep.
"Led by the Scottish Wildlife Trust, this powerful partnership is restoring wildlife, planting thousands of trees and wildflowers, and unlocking the health and wellbeing benefits of nature for the whole community. It's about creating a thriving, greener Cumbernauld —now and for generations to come.'
Nurturing Natural Connections is a partnership between the Scottish Wildlife Trust, North Lanarkshire Council, The Conservation Volunteers and Sanctuary Scotland. The £2.62 million funding follows successful delivery of a comprehensive development programme which included £181,200 Heritage Fund support thanks to National Lottery players. Delivery will begin this month and is due for completion in June 2030.
Cllr Helen Loughran, Convenor of Environment & Climate Change Committee for North Lanarkshire Council, said: 'This is an exciting project for Cumbernauld and North Lanarkshire, and we are delighted the National Lottery Heritage Funding will enable us to build on the excellent work done through the Cumbernauld Living Landscapes Partnership.
Cumbernauld "Some of the work we'll be carrying out with our partners involves planting 2,000 new trees, improving access at Westfield & Cumbernauld Community Park, enhancing grasslands and managing woodland at Abronhill and Palacerigg Country Park. As a result, we'll see improvements to local biodiversity, habitats for wildlife and sustainable development of woodland.'
Sandra Lyon, Operations Leader for The Conservation Volunteers, said: "We are thrilled that Nurturing Natural Connections has received this backing to go ahead, creating new opportunities for individuals and community groups in Cumbernauld to get involved in coordinated practical actions designed to protect and enhance natural heritage in the area, at a time when this has never been needed more. The transformation that this programme brings will benefit not only the existing community, but also generations to come."
Patricia Cahill, Director of Sanctuary Scotland, said: "Sanctuary is absolutely delighted the amazing work already achieved will continue and deliver even more for the local community and visitors. This is a truly inclusive project, and we are excited to help deliver it."
For more information visit the Cumbernauld Living Landscape website.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Glasgow Times
3 days ago
- Glasgow Times
Former Cumbernauld Cottage Theatre damaged in fire
Emergency services rushed to the former Cumbernauld Cottage Theatre following reports of a fire within the derelict building shortly after 2am on Friday, July 25. Firefighters tackled the blaze, eventually extinguishing it; however, the category C-listed structure - which is owned by North Lanarkshire Council (NLC) - had suffered 'significant' damage, with much of the roof destroyed. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service confirmed no one was injured during the incident. Following the fire, councillor Adam Smith, who represents Cumbernauld East, stated that residents are 'rightly angry' that the theatre, which was built in the 1700s, was left vacant for so long. Councillor Smith added that he remains hopeful that the Braehead Road building can be saved, but is disappointed that measures were reportedly not taken to 'better protect it'. He said: 'The fire at the former Cumbernauld Theatre building in the early hours of Friday morning was devastating to see, particularly as I secured the listing of the building and was the chair of the organisation previously working to take ownership of it as a community facility. 'As a listed building under the ownership of NLC, the council has a duty of care to the former Cottage Theatre and it's disappointing that measures were not taken to better protect it. 'The building is almost 300 years old and the external structure appears to have withstood the fire well, although much of the roof has been lost. 'I await the building survey report, however and hope there will not be a requirement for demolition. "People are rightly angry that the building had been vacant for so long and that the previous Community Asset Transfer request was rejected by North Lanarkshire Council, despite them having no plans for the site and having declared it surplus to their requirements. 'I remain hopeful that the building will survive and can have a positive community use in future.' READ NEXT: Glasgow youth project in desperate bid for new building NLC stated that it is engaging with other authorities to make a full assessment of the site. It has since been fenced off, and people are being asked to 'stay away' for safety reasons. The local authority also confirmed that a community asset transfer request for the former theatre had been made in 2022. This was refused; however, it was not stated why. An NLC spokesperson commented: 'A fire occurred at the former Cumbernauld Theatre in the early hours of Friday, July 25, which was attended by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. 'There is significant damage to the building, particularly to the roof, and we are engaging with other agencies to make a full assessment. 'The area has been fenced off, and the public is asked to stay away from the building for safety reasons. 'A community asset transfer request was submitted in 2022 for the former Cumbernauld Theatre building. 'This request was considered by the Education, Children and Families Committee in 2023 and refused.' Police Scotland confirmed that enquiries are ongoing to establish the cause of the fire.
Glasgow Times
20-07-2025
- Glasgow Times
Installation of temporary classrooms at Glenboig school approved
The plan will see two temporary classrooms, along with cloakroom, toilets and storerooms, set up in the grounds of Glenboig Primary School. A disabled access ramp will be positioned at the north entrance and each classroom will have its own emergency exit to the south. This building will be positioned in the existing school car park so North Lanarkshire Council has reached an agreement with Our Lady and St. Joseph's Church to provide alternative parking and drop off facilities there. READ MORE: Popular Scottish tourist attraction collapses in liquidation after 20 years This means that a formalised 53-space car park with a designated drop off facility, new islands, footpath provision and a patrolled crossing point across South Medrox Street will be provided. A report on the planning decision notes that the council's roads department has no objection to these arrangements as the new footways will improve pedestrian links between the school and the alternative car park and South Medrox Street has no through traffic and the patrolled crossing location is considered acceptable. Also, the additional parking within the church grounds offers greater capacity than is currently found at the school. No objections to the planning application were received during the consultation period and permission will remain for a period of five years, expiring in July 2030.
Glasgow Times
10-07-2025
- Glasgow Times
Five-year wildlife restoration project approved in Cumbernauld
The project, Nurturing Natural Connections, will be delivered by the Cumbernauld Living Landscape initiative, led by the Scottish Wildlife Trust. It builds on the previous Creating Natural Connections project. Read more: Glasgow care home hosts free community cafe with home-baked treats The funding includes £2.6 million from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The goal is to plant thousands of trees and sow tens of thousands of wildflowers across Cumbernauld, with local volunteers playing a crucial role in these efforts. The project includes managing more than 330 hectares of woodland, enhancing over 20 hectares of wildflower meadows, and removing invasive non-native species threatening Cumbernauld's native wildlife. Tracy Lambert, project manager for Cumbernauld Living Landscape at the Scottish Wildlife Trust, said: "From the bluebell displays of Cumbernauld Glen to the river woodlands of Luggiebank, Cumbernauld is home to so much incredible wildlife. "Sadly, however, much of it is in poor condition and needs a helping hand. "For over 10 years, we've proudly worked alongside local communities to restore the town's green spaces, and we're excited to begin our next chapter with Nurturing Natural Connections." The project also aims to equip local people with advanced skills and deliver citizen science projects to support North Lanarkshire Council's Local Biodiversity Action Plan. Six full-time jobs and six trainee opportunities will also be created over the life of the project. The initiative will support the town's infrastructure by promoting green infrastructure in Community Growth Areas and the planned redevelopment of the town centre. Nature-based solutions will be implemented to tackle issues around flooding, drought, and wildfires. Ms Lambert added: "We've seen the devastation caused by the nature and climate crises first-hand here in Cumbernauld, particularly with the recent storms and wildfires. "However, we've also seen how powerful nature can be in helping us recover. "By implementing nature-based solutions to some of today's biggest challenges, we can build a town that thrives in tandem with the natural environment." Eilish McGuinness, chief executive of the National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: "This is a game-changing project for Cumbernauld. "With nearly £3 million funding thanks to National Lottery players, the Nurturing Natural Connections project is set to transform the town's vital green spaces and places — connecting the community to nature and natural heritage on the doorstep. "Led by the Scottish Wildlife Trust, this powerful partnership is restoring wildlife, planting thousands of trees and wildflowers, and unlocking the health and wellbeing benefits of nature for the whole community. "It's about creating a thriving, greener Cumbernauld — now and for generations to come." The project is a partnership between the Scottish Wildlife Trust, North Lanarkshire Council, The Conservation Volunteers, and Sanctuary Scotland. The £2.62 million funding follows the successful delivery of a comprehensive development programme, which included £181,200 Heritage Fund support thanks to National Lottery players. The work will begin this month and is set to be completed by June 2030.
