Coatbridge MP Clarke calls meeting over Gartcosh business centre

Jul 30 2008 by Wendy Scott, Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

Concerns raised over business centre future

A FOUR-STRONG delegation, led by Coatbridge MP Tom Clarke, met top officials from Scottish Enterprise to discuss the future of Gartcosh business centre.

The proposed centre - started four years ago - has had £26million pumped into it but there are no jobs or buildings on the former Gartcosh Steelworks site.

And £200,000 has been spent on a reserve for newts.

The MP called a meeting with Liz Connolly, chief executive of Scottish Enterprise along with MSP Elaine Smith, Coatbridge councillor Tom Maginnis and Gartcosh councillor Joe Shaw to raise concerns over the lack of progress.

Mr Clarke told the Advertiser: “We are all extremely concerned about the progress and future of the site and if, in fact, the crime campus is coming to Gartcosh.”

“We express our anxiety about an article in a national newspaper about the suggestion that nothing was happening on the site despite massive investment.

“This was rejected as baseless and they said that Scottish Enterprise are proactive in finding inward investment and jobs and that progress was being made on the crime campus.

“We were pleased that discussions are ongoing and look forward to confirmation of the crime centre coming to Gartcosh.”

Elaine Smith has already raised the issue in the Scottish Parliament and will continue to pursue it.

Coatbridge councillor Tom Maginnis, Convener of Regeneration, North Lanarkshire Council, said: “The meeting was very constructive and I’m encouraged by the positive attitude of all who attended.

“Although the general economic climate is not helpful at the moment, I am confident real progress will be made at Gartcosh industrial estate and I’m very optimistic for the ongoing future of the site. We continue to explore opportunities which will benefit the area, including Strathclyde Police’s ongoing interest in situating a training campus in the estate.

“I am hopeful further positive announcements will follow in the near future.”

A spokesperson for Scottish Enterprise said: “Gartcosh Business Interchange is a long-term, major regeneration programme and Scottish Enterprise has made good progress with the transformation of the former steelworks site.

“It has completed essential infrastructure works including a £2 million Primary Sub Station and initial earthworks which will enable companies to locate on individual serviced plots.

“The site continues to attract interest from a number of parties and there are ongoing enquiries for manufacturing, business and distribution uses, which Scottish Enterprise is currently progressing.

“Development proposals are currently being worked up for the planned “Crime Campus” comprising some 12,000 sq metres of office and laboratory facilities for the Serious Crime Squad with the development expected to commence in early 2009.”