Falkirk MSP Michael Matheson has visited a major greenspace improvement project underway at a former coal mining spoil heap at Lionthorn Policy Bing, Falkirk.
Mr Matheson toured the development site at Lionthorn and heard from the environmental regeneration partners, Green Action Trust and Falkirk Council, about the plans to bring the formerly derelict land back into productive use for the local community through the creation of path links and access enhancements, installation of a grass ‘kick about’ pitch, and landscaping, bulb and woodland planting.
Work is now well underway on the site, with the grass football pitch and surrounding mounds for seating areas currently in development.
The project has received over £580,000 of financial support via the Scottish Government’s Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme, and is expected to be completed later in the summer.
Lionthorn Policy Bing sits on the remains of a coal mining spoil heap that was developed for sports use in the 1960s. By the 1980s this area had fallen out of use and in 2018, as part of a number of local plans and strategies was identified as a key regeneration opportunity.
The site masterplan has been drawn up by environmental regeneration experts Green Action Trust, which delivers impactful projects supporting community development and addressing biodiversity loss and environmental inequality across Scotland and through the Central Scotland Green Network. The project is being delivered in partnership with the Falkirk Council and lead contractors Mackenzie Construction.
