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The people of East Kilbride are being encouraged to have their say on the new vision for the town centre and see how it will transform the heart of their hometown. Members of the public will have an opportunity to see for themselves the progress and plans for the masterplan at a drop-in session at East Kilbride Central Library this Thursday (October 30) from 3pm to 7pm. South Lanarkshire Council said this part of the consultation process is inherent to the planning process. Councillor Joe Fagan, Leader of South Lanarkshire Council, said: “The masterplan envisages radical changes for East Kilbride town centre to respond to the rapid decline of in-person shopping that has blighted town centres right across the country. “This public consultation session will allow local people to come along and see what is proposed and form their own opinions of how it could transform the heart of their town. “Community engagement is of paramount importance, because once all the construction has been completed and the masterplan has achieved its aim, the years ahead will belong to the people of the town who will make use of, and live in, the new heart of East Kilbride.” The proposals that local residents and communities are being consulted on include: The vision is the result of a unique partnership across the private and public sectors, including the town centre’s asset managers and administrators, property experts, leading architects and South Lanarkshire Council. Four key parts of the shopping centre have been identified for significant change, including the demolition of the Centre West area to create space for the new neighbourhood, which would feature a mix of private and affordable housing, from flats for first-time buyers and downsizers to larger homes for families. The new Civic Hub would boast a flagship building that could have a range of uses across the public sector, the arts and education. It would also feature a civic square providing a new meeting place and access point to the town centre. The masterplan will generate employment through short-term construction jobs and longer-term regeneration through town centre employment in retail and leisure, business rates, as well as more local spend as people return to shop and take part in other activities in East Kilbride. A Vision for East Kilbride was published in 2023, with a reach of almost 10,000, and it is claimed much of the feedback has helped shape the current scope of the project. Lead architect Stefano Faiella of Threesixty Architecture says South Lanarkshire Council and the project team intend to work collaboratively with the community to deliver a transformative project aimed at strengthening East Kilbride’s town centre and enhancing its appeal for future generations. He stated previously: “The council recognises the importance of community engagement in shaping this transformative redevelopment. The Project Forum at the library is an ambitious idea to have a permanent home for the project; a place where we can listen , engage and tell the story of the project. "We want to foster a participatory approach and build a relationship of trust that helps us deliver a place that embodies the future vision of East Kilbride.” * Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here . And did you know Lanarkshire Live is on Facebook ? Head on over and give us a like and share!
