Plans unveiled for waterside town

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Industrial wasteland near Shotts in North Lanarkshire is to be transformed into a new waterside town, under proposals announced by developers.

Hazledene Homes Ltd wants to build a £85m community around a man-made lake in an area known as Torbothie.

The first phase would see 120 homes built with long term plans for more properties, a pier, cafes and shops.

A public consultation will take place before a formal planning permission application is submitted.

The developer said the town would, so far as possible, be constructed by local builders and tradesmen, helping reduce unemployment in the area.

It will undoubtedly help bring more people to the area and will provide much-needed local employment Cllr Jim Robertson North Lanarkshire Council

It would be built around an expanse of water known locally as the Voe.

The first houses would be constructed on the site of a demolished ironworks and coal-washing plant.

Mark Shaw, chief executive of the Hazledene Group, said: "In its totality, at around 1,400 homes, including the 400 or so in the existing Torbothie area, this development has the potential to become a small town able to support the adjacent public facilities between it and Shotts, but also able to support small local shops and other community services at the heart of the new Torbothie.

"The proposed development has outstanding potential for the economic and social renewal of the area in general, and for Shotts in particular."

The plans already have support from local politicians.

The new town would be built around the man-made lake known as the Voe

Labour councillor Jim Roberston, deputy provost of North Lanarkshire Council, said: "This is just the kind of development we need here.

"It will undoubtedly help bring more people to the area and will provide much-needed local employment.

"I am particularly impressed by the careful consideration that is being given in the plans to environmental aspects and the fact that it will repair the scars left by previous industrial activity."

SNP Councillor Malcolm McMillan added: "We have been suffering in Shotts from depopulation with falling rolls in both the primary and secondary schools.

"The new Torbothie could well be the answer to many of these problems and I welcome it wholeheartedly."

The developers have pledged to protect and support the surrounding environment and wildlife and have carried out a protected species survey.

If planning permission is granted, the new town would take between 10 and 15 years to complete.