LOCALS are celebrating the rebuilding of their town high street after it was dubbed “soulless” and in desperate need of change.
The proposals could see more than a third of the town demolished.
360architectureResidents can’t wait for their high street to receive a long overdue upgrade[/caption]
AlamyThe town is famed for its large number of roundabouts[/caption]
In 1947, East Kilbride held the title of Scotland’s first ever ‘new town’, however, less than 80 years later, it is being knocked down.
This would make way for an impressive new supermarket measuring 40,000 feet, a hotel and a public square.
Local, Danny Fitzpatrick, 33, told the Metro: “The town has had some really tough times in the last two decades, but I hope and believe there is a kind of renaissance on the horizon.”
Danny was born and raised in the town and feels hopeful about the South Lanarkshire Council’s new proposals.
As he reflected on growing up in the area, he explained that the town used to be an “epicentre.”
But added: “It isn’t a shadow of what it used to be.
In 1930, East Kilbride was home to just 900 residents.
But thanks to being selected as one of the five new towns in Scotland to serve as the solution to the post-war housing shortage, over the span of a few decades the town completely transformed.
Now with a population of roughly 75,000 the post-war scheme equipped the once small village with council offices, a police station, and even Scotland’s first Olympic size swimming pool.
It has even been affectionately nicknamed “Polo Mint City,” due to its extensive roundabout system.
East Kilbride has been on the decline for the last few decades
Locals believe this upgrade is exactly what the town needs
The council’s new plans will make use of thousands of square feet of empty space
However, over the last 20 years, East Kilbride has been suffering, with many businesses closing and locals labelling the town centre “grim.”
Among those to pack up and leave the area were the Motorola factory in 2009, Rolls-Royce in 2015, and the main shopping centre in 2022.
But Danny remains optimistic, saying: “The Rolls-Royce days may be over, but I think the future is good for EK.”
The council plans to spend a staggering £62,200,000 on the project, in a bid to make use of the more than 500,000 square feet of empty space across East Kilbride.
Threesixty Architecture, the company fronting these new plans, argue that the last decade has seen towns across the UK suffer.
Worsened even further by Covid, they claim that retail is on the decline, leaving areas like East Kilbride to suffer.
The document reads: “The master plan is the opportunity for the town to rediscover its identity and purpose.”
The Sun has approached South Lanarkshire Council and Threesixty Architecture for comment.
East Kilbride CouncilArchitects hope this will help the town rediscover its identity[/caption]
AlamyToday, all traces of the town’s industrial heritage have gone[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
