OUTRAGED Ravenscraig residents have taken their fight against a major industrial site being built on their doorstep to the Scottish Parliament. 

John G Russell Transport Limited have lodged controversial plans to create a railhead logistics hub at the former steelworks site in a project that will cost around £200m. 

However, locals say the proposal constitutes a complete u-turn from the original masterplan for the disused industrial site - and could see around 800 HGVs driving through Motherwell and surrounding villages every day. 

Members of the Ravenscraig Community Action Group have now taken their fight to block the development to Holyrood, backed by Labour MSP Monica Lennon and Green MSP Gillian Mackay. 

They are calling for Scottish Ministers to reject a planning appeal lodged by the firm after their initial application was thrown out by North Lanarkshire Council - with 700 objections to the plans lodged with local authority bosses. 

If approved by ministers, the development would be built on the derelict stretch of land that was once home to the largest hot strip steel mill in western Europe. 

Glasgow Times:

Fiona Morrison, Vice-Chair of the Ravenscraig Community Action Group, said: “Across local communities, North Lanarkshire Council and now Scotland’s parliament, the cross-party chorus of opposition to the plans that would scar the Motherwell skyline for generations is deafening. 

“SNP, Scottish Labour, Scottish Conservative and Scottish Green Parliamentarians from all across the country have rallied round our cause and are saying ministers must reject the proposal already thrown out by the council. 

“With the future of North Lanarkshire and two decades of planned progress at Ravenscraig on the line, it’s time for this appeal to be rejected and for Ravenscraig to again look forward, not back.” 

The group wants the original vision for the site - the Ravenscraig Promise - to instead be delivered. This included 1,000 affordable new homes, schools and community facilities, supporting local business whilst attracting appropriate commercial and light industrial employment. 

Glasgow Times:

Ms Lennon says she is happy to see the protest winning cross-party backing. 

She added: “I am delighted that so many MSPs have pledged their support for the residents.  The Ravenscraig Promise is a better plan for the area than the damaging development. 

 “It is vital that the Scottish Government recognise the strength of opposition to the Russell Transport plans, and work to deliver the promises made to a generation of steelworkers and their families.” 

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Scottish Green MSP, Gillian MacKay, added: “I stand resolute in my opposition to the proposed development, and I have written to the minister to voice my concerns. It’s now time for Ravenscraig Ltd, North Lanarkshire Council and Scottish and UK governments to work with local communities to sustainably transform this iconic urban environment with new homes, schools, amenities and appropriate employment.” 

Motherwell and Wishaw SNP MSP Clare Adamson says the proposal is a complete departure from what was promised for the site. 

The Ravenscraig Promise was made to a generation of steelworkers to build a cleaner, better, brighter and more sustainable future for their families. It looked to recognise the national significance of Ravenscraig as one of Europe’s largest and most ambitious urban transformation programmes. 

Glasgow Times:

Ms Adamson added: “I am disappointed that the developers have lodged an appeal at the last possible moment – having committed to not doing so when the matter came before council. 

“The fundamental issues remain unchanged. This proposal is a complete departure from the Ravenscraig Masterplan. The people who have made this area their home bought into a vision of a regenerated residential community.

“This development would irreparably alter the character of that community and, on that basis, the local authority rightly rejected these plans. The appeal is a judicial process, and it is now a matter for the Scottish Government’s reporter.

“But I trust the reporter will be cognisant of the overwhelming response from residents, the council’s definitive rejection and the detrimental and irreversible impact that this development would have on Ravenscraig. In practice, it would cease to be a community but instead become an industrial site.”  

Glasgow Times:

Council planners rejected the proposal by Russell Transport Ltd as  ‘wholly incompatible' with the masterplan and was refused by councillors from all political parties.  

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One resident, who has lived near the site for around 10 years, said:  “North Lanarkshire deserves better, and we want to see what we were promised delivered. 

“This isn’t the right place for a rail hub and goes against everything we were ever told. Nobody wants to see over 800 HGVs a day rumbling through the heart of our communities, past our homes, schools, businesses and community facilities. It’s just not on. 

“The proposed industrial site would be seven times the size of the local sports complex, with lorries passing every hour, frequent freight trains and 12-storey warehouses dominating the skyline.” 

 A spokesman for John G Russell (Transport) Limited said: “We do not consider it appropriate at this time to make any public statement as the appellant.”