Ravenscraig
{{short description|Village in North Lanarkshire, Scotland}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2022}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2017}}
{{Infobox UK place
| official_name = Ravenscraig
| gaelic_name = Creag na Fithiche
| scots_name =
| local_name =
| country = Scotland
| population =
| os_grid_reference = NS756563
| edinburgh_distance_mi = 41
| london_distance_mi = 393
| coordinates = {{coord|55.792017|-3.967524|display=inline,title}}
| post_town = MOTHERWELL
| postcode_area = ML
| postcode_district = ML1
| dial_code = 01698
| constituency_westminster = Motherwell and Wishaw
| unitary_scotland = North Lanarkshire
| lieutenancy_scotland = Lanarkshire
| constituency_scottish_parliament = Motherwell and Wishaw
| website = [http://www.ravenscraig.co.uk/]
| static_image_name = File:Recent sculpture by Ravenscraig Sports Facility (geograph 4810818).jpg
| static_image_caption = Ravenscraig Sports Facility, 2016.
}}
Ravenscraig is a housing development and historic village located in North Lanarkshire, Scotland, {{convert|1.5|mi|km|0|abbr=off|spell=on}} north-east of central Motherwell. Ravenscraig was formerly the site of Ravenscraig steelworks; once the largest hot strip steel mill in western Europe, the steelworks closed in 1992, and is now almost totally demolished. After over two decades of lying derelict, the empty land was redeveloped in the 2010s, with new houses and amenities being constructed on a large scale, with construction still ongoing into the 2020s. The main contributors to this project were Wilson Bowden Developments Ltd, Scottish Enterprise and Tata Steel Europe.
Location
Located in North Lanarkshire, Ravenscraig lies between the towns of Wishaw and Motherwell and the villages of Carfin and Newarthill, an area with a combined population of over 120,000.{{cite web|title=Mid-2016 Population Estimates for Settlements and Localities in Scotland|url=https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/files//statistics/settlements-localities/set-loc-16/tabs/2016-pop-est-sett-local-alltabs.xlsx|website=National Records of Scotland|access-date=27 June 2019 }}
Ravenscraig is only some ten minutes' drive from junctions with both the M74 motorway between Glasgow and Carlisle, and the M8 motorway between Glasgow and Edinburgh (and those cities' airports).
File:Railway Bridge at Ravenscraig - geograph.org.uk - 242092.jpg]]
A railway line (between Holytown and Wishaw, primarily for freight) directly bisects the site, featuring a large viaduct over the South Calder Water,[https://railscot.co.uk/locations/C/Calder_Viaduct_Carfin/ Calder Viaduct (Carfin)], Railscot and another (the West Coast Main Line and Argyle Line) runs on the south-western edge of the site. In 2005, the local authority proposed to either move Shieldmuir railway station almost {{convert|1|mi|km}} to the north or close it and reopen the former Flemington station nearby (closed in 1965), to cater for the Ravenscraig development,[http://www.motherwelltimes.co.uk/news/local-headlines/rail-link-proposed-for-ravenscraig-development-1-278815 "Rail link proposed for Ravenscraig development"] Yule, Brian Motherwell Times article 23 November 2005; retrieved 22 August 2016 but the plan was subsequently dropped in 2007.{{cite web |url=http://www.motherwelltimes.co.uk/news/local-headlines/plan-to-slash-shieldmuir-station-car-parking-1-281216 |title=Plan to slash Shieldmuir station car parking |date=2010-06-09 |publisher=Mothwell Times |access-date=2016-08-22 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919013445/http://www.motherwelltimes.co.uk/news/local-headlines/plan-to-slash-shieldmuir-station-car-parking-1-281216 |archive-date=2016-09-19}}
History
{{Main|Ravenscraig steelworks|}}
File:Ravenscraig Steel Mill.jpg
Ravenscraig Steel Works, as well as the former settlement of the same title, took its name from the nearby secluded cliff face called Ravenscraig (translated as Raven's Cliff or Cliff of the Ravens) situated in the valley of the South Calder Water, north of the steelworks site, first shown on the 1st Edition Ordnance Survey Map of 1859.
A major expansion of Colvilles, the largest steel manufacturer in the United Kingdom before World War II,[http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/steelworks/Colville%27s.htm The Company and Its Allied Concerns – Colville's Magazine, 1920] was approved in July 1954 by the Iron and Steel Board.Campbell, R. H. (1958). Iron and Steel. Chapter 5, In: Cunnison, J. and Gilfillan, J. B. S. (Editors) (1958). The Third Statistical Account of Scotland, Volume V, The City of Glasgow. Glasgow: William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd.
In 1954 the first stages of development began in Ravenscraig, turning a green field into a site for steelworks. By 1957 several coke ovens, a by-products plant, a blast furnace and an open hearth melting shop with three steelmaking furnaces were built, and by 1959 a stripmill was complete.[http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/steelworks/Steelworks%20Ravenscraig.htm Ravenscraig Steel Works History 1954–1992]
The closure of Ravenscraig in 1992 signalled the end of large-scale steel making in Scotland,Stratton, Michael and Trinder, Barry (2000). Twentieth Century Industrial Archaeology. London: E & FN Spon. {{ISBN|0-419-24680-0}}. and was the cause of a loss of 770 jobs, with another 10,000 job losses directly and indirectly linked to the closure.
Prior to regeneration, Ravenscraig was one of the largest derelict sites in Europe measuring over {{convert|1125|acre|ha|abbr=off}} in size.{{cite web|url=http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2000/01/9cc8e10e-0b9b-4ba2-a157-0100a809870d |title=Scottish Government – (Henry McLeish backs plans for Ravenscraig Regeneration)|date=26 January 2000|work=The Scottish Government|access-date=25 September 2012}}
Regeneration
File:Ravenscraig from the air.jpg
After many years of planning, Ravenscraig was to be 'regenerated' and rebuilt by three equal shareholders: Wilson Bowden Developments Ltd, Scottish Enterprise and Tata Steel. The project was one of the largest regenerations in Europe, with {{convert|400|acre|ha|abbr=off}} being developed.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/1409566.stm |title=Steel site forges new future|date=27 June 2001|work=BBC News|access-date=25 September 2012}}{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/6183713.stm |title=Ravenscraig project starts|date=15 December 2006|work=BBC News|access-date=25 September 2012}}{{cite web|url=http://www.motherwelltimes.co.uk/news/Developing-homes-at-Ravenscraig.4802303.jp |title=Developing homes at Ravenscraig|date=17 December 2008|work=Motherwell Times|access-date=25 September 2012}}
Part of the development was to create new habitats for the wildlife already living in the area, such as deer, foxes, hares, otters, badgers, watervoles, butterflies and birds such as the wader, song thrush and the little ringed plover, with an Ecological Clerk of Works appointed to 'ensure compliance with Ravenscraig Ltd.’s aims and objectives by all developers and contractors.'{{cite web|url=http://www.ravenscraig.co.uk/natural-heritage.asp|title=Ravenscraig – Natural Heritage|work=Ravenscraig.co.uk|access-date=25 September 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120226124951/http://www.ravenscraig.co.uk/natural-heritage.asp|archive-date=26 February 2012}} Plans were implemented to stop the decontamination of the South Calder Water, which suffered from the industrial activity and toxic chemicals in the area.{{cite web |url=http://grc.engineering.cf.ac.uk/lrn/events/lrnevents/ravensA4.pdf |title=Land Regeneration Network – Nov-2005 » Apr-2006 |work=GRC Engineering |access-date=25 September 2012 }}{{dead link|date=April 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} There are also plantations designed to encourage diversity in the site wildlife, including reforestation of local woodland.
The plans for the regeneration generated a certain amount of controversy; local residents and businesses were worried about the proposed shopping facilities, fearing their construction would cause exiting businesses and town centres (e.g. Motherwell and Wishaw) will suffer. Nearby shopping centres such as Motherwell Shopping Centre, the Regent Shopping Centre in Hamilton and East Kilbride Shopping Centre complained that new shopping facilities may take away their regular customers,{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/3363471.stm |title=BBC News – Controversy over steelworks plan|date=2 January 2004|work=BBC News|access-date=25 September 2012}} a statement that North Lanarkshire Council leader Jim McCabe disputed.{{cite web|url=http://local.stv.tv/motherwell/news/108170-ravenscraig-regeneration-aimed-at-boosting-economy/|title=Ravenscraig regeneration aimed at boosting economy|date=27 June 2004|work=STV Local|access-date=25 September 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130418193452/http://local.stv.tv/motherwell/news/108170-ravenscraig-regeneration-aimed-at-boosting-economy/|archive-date=18 April 2013}} A new dual carriageway that would link the new town with the M8 and M74 motorways was given approval,{{cite web|url=http://www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=20697|title=Scottish Government approves council's £73m business plan|date=19 January 2012|work=North Lanarkshire Council|access-date=25 September 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324044246/http://www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=20697|archive-date=24 March 2012}}[https://www.urbanrealm.com/news/3594/%C2%A310m_Ravenscraig_motorway_link_approved.html £10m Ravenscraig motorway link approved], Urban Realm, 27 June 2012 with an extra £10 million to bring the project forward agreed in June 2012.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-18593735|title=Ravenscraig project to progress with £10m for M8 link|date=27 June 2012|work=BBC News|access-date=25 September 2012}} The new carriageway would also travel through neighbouring North Lanarkshire settlements, Motherwell and Carfin.
The first major development, the new Motherwell College in the south of the site, was the first to be completed, officially opening in January 2010.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/8462374.stm|publisher=BBC News|title=Royal opening for Motherwell College campus|date=2010-01-15|accessdate=2012-05-31}} The college aimed to attract in excess of 20,000 students. The £29 million{{cite web|url=http://www.motherwelltimes.co.uk/sport/New-year-start-for-Ravenscraig.4802497.jp |title=New Year start for sports facility|date=17 December 2008|work=Motherwell Times|access-date=25 September 2012}} Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility, located in the centre of the site, was opened on 4 October 2010, and has been used as training camps for the 2012 London Olympics in London and the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.[https://www.urbanrealm.com/news/2449/Ravenscraig_sport_hub_boasts_one_building_under_43_roofs.html Ravenscraig sport hub boasts one building under 43 roofs], Urban Realm, 22 June 2010 The complex was also the host facility for the 2011 International Children's Games.{{cite web|url=http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2007/10/30121839 |title=Scottish Government – (£29m for Ravenscraig sports complex)|date=30 October 2007|work=The Scottish Government|access-date=25 September 2012}} Over the course of several years, several separate new build estates were constructed, mostly in the north of the site. A central feeder road (Robberhall Road / New Craig Road, featuring six roundabouts in anticipation of many branch roads being required for housing clusters, although many of these connections were not put into use in its first decade) was built running between the A721 road at Craigneuk to the south and the A723 road at Carfin to the north.
File:Ravenscraig New Homes.jpg
Phase two of the construction, which included shopping facilities, was planned to start around mid-2012.{{cite web|url=http://www.motherwelltimes.co.uk/news/Start-date-for-Ravenscraig-town.6419994.jp |title=The start date for Ravenscraig Town Centre|date=14 July 2010|work=Motherwell Times|access-date=25 September 2012}} The housing development of Phoenix Park with 850 new homes, was partially completed by 2012. Another important step towards full completion of the project was met at that time, with funding being approved for the second phase.{{cite web|url=http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/editor-s-picks/rise-of-the-craig-1.1057325 |title=Rise of the 'Craig|date=24 September 2010|work=Evening Times|access-date=25 September 2012}}[https://www.urbanrealm.com/news/2556/Ravenscraig_announce_second_phase_expansion_plans.html Ravenscraig announce second phase expansion plans], Urban Realm, 24 September 2010 In September 2012, the first building of a new BRE Innovation Park was opened, with the visitor centre building officially completed.[https://www.urbanrealm.com/news/3731/Kraft_dust_off_BRE_Ravenscraig_Research_Centre_.html Kraft dust off BRE Ravenscraig Research Centre], Urban Realm, 7 September 2012 A total of ten energy-efficient buildings were expected to be built in the park.{{cite web|url=http://www.bre.co.uk/news/Alex-Neil-MSP-opens-BRE-Innovation-Park-Ravenscraig-833.html |title=Alex Neil MSP opens BRE Innovation Park@ Ravenscraig|date=5 September 2012|work=BRE Group|access-date=25 September 2012}}[https://www.urbanrealm.com/news/4394/Resource_Efficient_House_launched_at_BRE_Innovation_Park.html Resource Efficient House launched at BRE Innovation Park], Urban Realm, 10 September 2013 In November 2012, plans were also unveiled to build a new Marston's pub-restaurant directly to the north-east of the sports facility. Despite favourable first impressions, the proposal did not receive planning permission at the time.{{cite web|url=http://www.wishawpress.co.uk/wishaw-news/local-wishaw-news/wishaw-news/2012/11/14/marston-s-to-spend-3m-on-new-ravenscraig-pub-and-create-45-jobs-76495-32230976/ |title=Marston's to spend £3m on new Ravenscraig pub and create 45 jobs |date=14 November 2012|work=Wishaw Press|access-date=18 November 2012}}
Progress slowed on the development due to adverse economic factors,[https://www.urbanrealm.com/news/7070/Revised_Ravenscraig_masterplan_on_the_way_as_original_vision_stalls.html Revised Ravenscraig masterplan on the way as original vision stalls], Urban Realm, 15 October 2017 and a revised masterplan was submitted in 2018,[https://www.urbanrealm.com/news/7333/Approval_sought_for_revised_Ravenscraig_masterplan_.html Approval sought for revised Ravenscraig masterplan], Urban Realm, 28 March 2018 being approved the following year.[https://www.motherwelltimes.co.uk/business/new-ravenscraig-masterplan-approved-by-north-lanarkshire-council-1-4953288/amp New Ravenscraig masterplan approved by North Lanarkshire Council], Motherwell Times, 24 June 2019[https://eplanning.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=P5ZWQNBAKRX00 18/00463/PPP Revision of Mixed Use Development Approved under Planning Permission], North Lanarkshire Council Planning Department The planning report, which differed from the earlier master vision with the amount of retail space reduced by around 60% and no short term prospect for a new railway station, anticipated that progress would be slow but steady across the site, not being completed until around 2045.[https://eplanning.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/online-applications/files/448FE9D78ABC6E2DD3A84B2EA49B038D/pdf/18_00463_PPP-Revised_Masterplan_2018_Rev_D_part_1-935454.pdf Revised Ravenscraig Masterplan], Cooper Cromar architects, 14 September 2018{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-48752074|title=Council approves Ravenscraig masterplan|date=24 June 2019|work=BBC News|access-date=2020-03-13}}
As of 2024, hundreds of homes had been built in the area,{{cite web|url=http://www.wishawpress.co.uk/wishaw-news/local-wishaw-news/wishaw-news/2010/12/29/first-people-move-into-the-new-ravenscraig-76495-27897952/ |title=First Residents move into Ravenscraig project|date=29 December 2010|work=Wishaw Press|access-date=25 September 2012}} however the project was some way from being fully completed. The promised Marston's pub / restaurant and small hotel, named "Raven's Cliff" was constructed in 2018.[https://www.marstonspubs.co.uk/news/ravens-cliff-lodge-scotland.aspx Our new lodge is soaring], Marston's Pubs, 13 April 2018 In March 2022, a park and playground to the south of the sports facility named 'The Craig' was opened by Anne, Princess Royal (who had also opened the college 12 years earlier);{{Cite web |title=The Craig |url=http://ravenscraig.co.uk/the-craig/ |access-date=2023-10-20 |website=Ravenscraig }}[https://www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/leisure-parks-and-culture/countryside-and-parks/thecraig The Craig], North Lanarkshire Council[https://www.glasgowworld.com/education/her-royal-highness-the-princess-royal-has-officially-opened-the-craig-3623217 Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal has officially opened The Craig], Glasgow World, 23 March 2022 this is separate from a larger, less formal area of green space on a hill with a roughly circular footprint on the northern edge of the site.
=Transport=
File:Ravenscraig link road.jpg
In future, the Greenlink Cycle Path may be extended to connect Ravenscraig with a direct route to Strathclyde Country Park.{{cite web|url=http://www.landscapeinstitute.org/PDF/Contribute/MikeBatley.pdf|title=The Greenlink|access-date=5 August 2012}}
The 92 bus service is due to be introduced in 2023 by Stuarts Coaches and will link Ravenscraig with Motherwell.{{Cite web |last=Thomson |first=Ross |date=2023-05-03 |title=New bus service for Ravenscraig confirmed by SPT |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/in-your-area/lanarkshire/new-bus-service-ravenscraig-confirmed-29871591 |access-date=2023-05-03 |website=Daily Record |language=en}}
=Motherwell FC=
The local professional football team, Motherwell Football Club was one of the possible purchasers of the site for a new stadium, leaving behind their home of 113 years, Fir Park. In 2008, Mark McGhee, then-manager of the club, had said that he and the directors held tentative discussions with North Lanarkshire Council about building the new stadium on the site.{{cite web|url=http://www.motherwelltimes.co.uk/news/Well-in-talks-for-Ravenscraig.3820872.jp |title=Well in talks for Ravenscraig|date=27 February 2008|work=Motherwell Times|access-date=25 September 2012}}{{cite web|url=http://www.motherwell-mad.co.uk/news/loadnews.asp?cid=TMNW&id=422108 |title=The Manager Speaks|date=14 December 2008|work=Fir Park Corner|access-date=25 September 2012}}{{cite web|url=http://www.wishawpress.co.uk/wishaw-sport/other-sport/2009/01/07/motherwell-boss-we-need-a-new-stadium-76495-22620572/ |title=Motherwell Boss – We need a new stadium|date=7 January 2009|work=Wishaw Press|access-date=25 September 2012}} Despite indications that the move may be in process of becoming a reality,{{cite web|url=http://www.wishawpress.co.uk/wishaw-sport/football/motherwell-fc/2010/08/18/dempster-my-fir-park-pitch-nightmare-76495-27081333/ |title=Dempster – My Fir Park pitch nightmare|date=18 August 2010|work=Wishaw Press|access-date=16 June 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/editor-s-picks/dempster-leading-well-fans-to-a-bright-future-1.1107105 |title=Dempster leading Well fans to a bright future|date=16 June 2011|work=Evening Times|access-date=16 June 2011}} a move to Ravenscraig in the short term would be impossible.{{cite web|url=http://www.motherwelltimes.co.uk/sport/local-sport/fir_parkers_nowhere_near_a_ground_move_1_1830917 |title=Fir Parkers ‘nowhere near’ a ground move|date=7 September 2011|work=Motherwell Times|access-date=7 September 2011}}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons category-inline|Ravenscraig, North Lanarkshire}}
- [http://ravenscraig.co.uk Official development website]
- [https://culturenl.co.uk/museums/steeling-back-memories-ravenscraig/ Steeling Back Memories (Ravenscraig)] at Culture NL
{{North Lanarkshire Settlements}}
{{authority control}}