A new future can be forged for our industrial communities

All across the UK, there are monuments to our industrial heritage. They remind us of the burgeoning heavy industries that once helped power our country. Importantly, they remind us of the toil of the workers and communities that dedicated their working lives to these important industries. 

We owe it to these people to ensure there is a bright future for their communities. Whether it be the docks in our coastal cities, the coalfields that powered our homes, or the steelworks that built the country, it is vitally important that we realise the potential that these former powerhouses can still have.

This includes Ravenscraig in North Lanarkshire, which once supported thousands of jobs at its steelworks. The area was so synonymous with the alloy that Motherwell was known as Steelopolis, and the local football team known as the Steelmen. After closing in the early nineties, it left behind one of the largest vacant brownfield sites in Europe, at over 1,200 acres. That is where its story could have ended. But like other success stories like Battersea Power Station, or Liverpool’s Royal Albert Docks, Ravenscraig is also being regenerated.  

This important regeneration will build and enhance a new, thriving community, supporting the economy of North Lanarkshire and Scotland. The transformation of Ravenscraig is a joint venture between Barratt Developments, Tata Steel and Scottish Enterprise, with over £250 million investment to date. Although great progress has been made, this full regeneration project will take a number of decades to complete.

Given the site’s former use as a steelworks, the land at Ravenscraig requires extensive remediation before any new building can take place, but there has already been significant progress. Crucially, the development is not-for-profit, with all income from land sales reinvested into regeneration and remediation works. 

Over 1,000 homes have already been built and a new pub and hotel are serving the local community. New Lanarkshire College in Ravenscraig is one of Scotland’s largest colleges and plays a pivotal role in fulfilling the social, economic and cultural aspirations of local communities. Its state of the art campus is a hub for students in Lanarkshire and further afield. At the centre of the regeneration is Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility, used by professional athletes and everyday gym-goers alike. An active travel link also connects Ravenscraig to Motherwell and Craigneuk, creating safe spaces for walking and cycling.  All these great facilities are just the start of the positive regeneration journey for Ravenscraig. 

One of Ravenscraig’s many strengths is its location, within ten minutes drive of the M74 and M8 motorways. 80 acres of Ravenscraig will soon become Scotland’s newest production and logistics location, called SevenFourEight. The regeneration is focused on sustainable and inclusive growth, as a mixed-use site which supports a self-sufficient community, with jobs and opportunities. 

As Director of Ravenscraig, I see community engagement as the key to future success. Ensuring open dialogue with residents, listening to feedback and sharing updates. I want residents to feel proud of their community and local area. 

This year planning applications will be underway for affordable homes, neighbourhood shops and transport infrastructure. Looking ahead, future plans for Ravenscraig include a £10m employment hub built by Fusion Assets, with conversations already underway for retail and leisure development.

There is still a long way to go, but the reimagining of Ravenscraig is a testament to what can be achieved when we honour our industrial past with progressive development. We want to celebrate the legacy of former Ravencraig workers, whilst forging a bright future for local communities. 

Russell Wilkie is Director of Ravenscraig Ltd