10.118 The Council will prepare a Planning Study with a view to identifying the actions necessary to complete the regeneration process. It is expected that it will be 2006 or beyond before the regeneration of Castlemilk will take place without further substantial intervention. The final elements of regeneration, emphasising physical renewal, quality and integration, will be determined and quantified through this Planning Study.
New Housing
10.119 The Planning Study will also re-assess the provision of retail facilities, community uses, play areas and environmental works in a way that continues to encourage the principle of grouping such facilities to create focal points. The Council will provide a planning input to the continuing efforts to complete this aspect of the regeneration process, through the preparation of Development Briefs.
10.120 The rationalisation of secondary school provision in the area is already underway and it is recognised that rationalisation and improvement in the provision of primary education in Castlemilk is also necessary. Consideration will have to be given to how this rationalisation can best support and reinforce the overall renewal process in Castlemilk.
10.121 The successful continuation of the regeneration effort in Castlemilk, to consolidate and complete the investment programmes, will depend on the following key issues:
addressing the non-housing elements of the renewal process; and
sustaining the investment in maintenance.
PEOPLE
10.122 With the majority of the housing renewal now complete, the Castlemilk Partnership has shifted its focus towards matters relating to social inclusion to complement the agenda of physical renewal. Greater attention is now devoted to services for children and youths, health and other community services. This will not deflect, however, from the continuing push to complete the housing renewal of Castlemilk with the participation of existing residents. This is being carried out through both the Area Housing Partnership agenda and Castlemilk’s two New Housing Partnerships.
JOBS
10.123 Although Castlemilk is being developed as a residential suburb of the City, the Castlemilk Partnership Strategy provides the opportunity for business development within the area, principally at the Glenwood Business Centre (1) and the Drakemire Industrial Estate (2). In parallel, Castlemilk Economic Development Agency has been successful in encouraging Castlemilk residents to find employment in the wider Conurbation, particularly in East Kilbride. This, together with continuing efforts to provide adequate levels of childcare, remains the most effective way of alleviating the problems of unemployment and low income that still affect the area.
Glenwood Business Centre
INFRASTRUCTURE
10.124 The initial development of Castlemilk failed to provide adequate facilities to meet the needs of a community of its size. The more recent renewal effort has been addressing these deficiencies and notable success has been achieved with, for example, the provision of a new health centre (3), youth complex (4), children’s centre (5), sports centre (6), bowling centre (7), playing field complex (8), business centre, a refurbished shopping centre (9), swimming baths (10) and improved bus services to the City Centre and East Kilbride. There is, however, still considerable scope to consolidate these positive developments and further enhance Castlemilk’s emerging status as a desirable City suburb. These infrastructure needs will be addressed through the Planning Study.
10.125 Extensive work has, and is, being carried out by various agencies to improve the attractiveness and functioning of the shopping centre and to identify new uses for the limited number of remaining vacant sites and buildings. There is a need to expand further, the range of uses in central Castlemilk to create an integrated centre with a high quality environment, commensurate with the area’s emerging status as a modern City suburb with a population of 15,000 -16,000. The Planning Study will seek to provide a context for achieving this aim.
10.126 Reference is made in Part 1 of the Plan to the potential for extending the network of Quality Bus Corridors in the City. Such works would also cater for pedestrians and cyclists and would reinforce sustainability. Although an alignment for the potential corridor is shown on the accompaning map, this may change as a result of consultation with wider interests, including local communities.
Castlemilk from the air
ENVIRONMENT
10.127 Castlemilk Environment Trust, having invested around £1m in the four years up to the beginning of 2000, has a rolling programme of works that includes artwork and access improvements. The Trust aims to continue that level of investment to sustain and complement the wider regeneration effort. All vacant ground in Castlemilk has proposals, in most cases for housing, identified within an agreed strategy. The countryside around and extending into Castlemilk, contributes significantly to the area’s appeal and has been the subject of development interest. The Council will undertake a Comprehensive Planning Study to determine the environmental capacity and development potential of this area.
