Construction work has started on an £8m community and office development in Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire.

The Cumbernauld Community Enterprise Centre aims to replace the current Muirfield Community Facility. When completed, it will provide office space designed for small businesses, a nursery, hall, multi-function rooms and a café space. In addition, new green space would be created in the town centre.

The facility is expected to be completed in 2016, when it will be managed by CultureNL on behalf of the local council. CultureNL is responsible for the operation of North Lanarkshire's community facilities, entertainment venues, arts activity, libraries and museums.

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Welcoming the commencement of works, Councillor Heather McVey, Chair of CultureNL and Regeneration Vice-Convener, said: "The Cumbernauld Community Enterprise Centre represents a major investment by North Lanarkshire Council, the Scottish Government and partner organisations including Campsies Centre Cumbernauld, who are contributing £500,000 towards the project.

"It is a bold step towards integrating the needs of the local community in terms of leisure, event and meeting facilities with providing support to community businesses and third sector groups.

"Today's ceremony is a reinforcement of the council's commitment to our communities. The new centre will be an example of how facilities can be tailored to meet local requirements and, I would hope, could provide a template for future developments."

Half of the funding, around £4m, is being made available from the Scottish Government's Regeneration Capital Grant Fund, with further funding coming from North Lanarkshire Council.

(JP/CD)