A viewing tower and tree-top walkway is among exciting new plans for a woodland beside the Clyde.

Plans have been submitted for further developments at Cuningar Loop Woodland Park.

Clyde Gateway have applied for planning permission to build the facilities at the existing £8 million green space project between Dalmarnock and Rutherglen which spans some 37 acres of woodland bounded by the River Clyde on three sides.

The tower, which will be lit at night, will allow visitors to take in the views over the park.

An elevated walkway will be fully accessible and bridges land between two pathways and a large meadow which was previously inaccessible to the public.

Clyde Gateway, Forestry Commission Scotland and South Lanarkshire Council regenerated the Loop as part of the Commonwealth Games Legacy.

A statement sent to South Lanarkshire’s planning department explains that visitors have said there is a lack of suitable facilities at the park.

It adds: “The opportunity at Cuningar Loop is to provide a permanent base for groups and activities throughout the park and do so in a way which encourages a wider range of user groups and engagement with local communities.

“At a practical level it will provide toilet facilities to encourage greater dwell time of all park users.

“The main focus of The Bothy will be The Living Room — a robust space connected to the park and woodland and offering a space for talks, nature and arts events, play and community gathering.

“The Tùr [tower] will be a viewing point formed from a simple open ramp to climb above the tree canopy and enjoy the views over the park.”

The bothy will be created near the south entrance and will have a multi-functional community living room with a kitchen, dining room, community library, visitor information and public toilets.

Developers hope to encourage a ‘diverse range’ of people to use the space such as community groups, visitors and local residents which would, in turn, develop a strong community spirit.

A design statement adds: “The tradition of the central hearth to gather round will be adopted to add a domestic focus and a sense of cosiness in the winter.

“Large format windows to the main spaces will connect to the landscape, framing key views around the site and giving the opportunity for natural ventilation and high levels of daylight into the spaces.

“The interior will have a robust yet domestic quality; a cosy space in the winter and in summer large ‘barn’ doors open up the bothy allowing it to connect with the landscape.

A space for the growing of produce and a small story-telling hut will also be created.