Ground was officially broken on the construction of industrial units at a former chemical plant in the Shawfield area.
The two units, totalling 29,000sq ft, will be built on formerly contaminated land and form part of the new National Business District in the Clyde Gateway area.
The scheme is one of three projects currently underway, at a total cost of £20.7 million, being jointly funded by the UK Government, Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise and Clyde Gateway, with additional funding for additional infrastructure works also being provided by South Lanarkshire Council.
The projects were awarded £14.7 million in November 2023 from the UK Government and £7.5 million from the Scottish Government.
The land, which was described as one of the most polluted inner-city sites in the UK, had lain derelict for decades but has been remediated over a number of years.
The site was once home to J&J Whites Chemical plant which operated from 1820 to 1967, which produced up to 70 per cent of the UK’s chromate products, generating significant volumes of hazardous chromium waste.
Also known as Shawfield Chemical Works, remediation began on the site back over a decade ago which led to the construction of a 40,000sq ft managed office building which opened in 2018 – Red Tree Magenta – that supports 21 companies and over 180 jobs.
Work began on preparing the Shawfield Innovation site in the summer, with a target completion of May 2025. The Scottish Government provided around £3.4 million for the project with Scottish Enterprise and Clyde Gateway each committing £1.2 million.
Michael Shanks MP said: “It’s hugely positive that the UK Government is investing directly in communities in Clyde Gateway, transforming derelict land to be safe whilst creating jobs, driving growth, and helping to reduce poverty.
“Being here today to break ground on this new development, you can see the potential this area has with the success of the nearby Red Tree Magenta and the great active travel links to nearby railway stations and the city centre.
“This work in Shawfield is yet another example of how a patient and long-term approach to delivering regeneration in partnership with other organisations across the public and private sectors is supporting thousands of jobs and bringing hundreds of acres of derelict land back into productive use.”
Rutherglen MSP Clare Haughey said: “Clyde Gateway has a proven track record locally for its ongoing work to build on previously contaminated and derelict land – bringing new jobs, businesses and investment to the area.
“I have been making the case for additional investment to support their work, so I’m pleased that the Scottish Government has provided £7.5 million of funding to Clyde Gateway for three current schemes.
“This will allow Clyde Gateway to continue with the regeneration of parts of Rutherglen which over the years has seen the creation of new business centres, the SMART bridge between Shawfield and Dalmarnock, and Cuningar Loop Woodland Park.”
Martin Joyce, Executive Director of Regeneration at Clyde Gateway said: “When heavy industry left the east end of Glasgow and Rutherglen, it did not just leave a legacy of economic hardship – the environmental impact of these polluting industries has impacted our communities for decades as well.
“Clyde Gateway however has continued the remediation of derelict and contaminated land –around the size of 400 football pitches since inception – bringing this resource back into active use for new housing, offices, industrial units, greenspace and community facilities.
“We are very grateful for this investment from the UK and Scottish Governments, Scottish Enterprise, and to be working with South Lanarkshire Council to deliver a positive future for Shawfield and wider Clyde Gateway area.”
Scottish Government Investment Minister Tom Arthur, said: “The ongoing transformation of Shawfield is revolutionary for Rutherglen and its surrounding communities.
“I am pleased that the Scottish Government is investing £3.4 million of new funding in Shawfield, which will enable new economic opportunities for the area.”
Victoria Carmichael, Director of Property, Growth Infrastructure & Major Projects at Scottish Enterprise, said: “Our investment of £1.2 million will help kickstart further regeneration and realise the economic potential of Shawfield.”
Cllr Joe Fagan, Leader of South Lanarkshire Council, added: “South Lanarkshire Council, in partnership with Clyde Gateway, successfully secured £14.6 million of UK Government funding to invest in our communities. This funding has accelerated our clean-up of Shawfield, and the new commercial units will enhance South Lanarkshire’s growing reputation as one Scotland’s economic powerhouses, as well as a great place to live and work.”
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