South Lanarkshire Council has announced that following delays caused by the pandemic, the long-awaited rebirth of a derelict, eyesore site in the centre of Lanark will begin in earnest early in the new year.

The major reconstruction and redesign project behind the historic façade of the former Royal Oak Hotel have, is set to get underway, with the development of 15 social rented units above a commercial retail unit - delivering in-demand new housing in the historic heart of Lanark town centre.

By redeveloping the derelict shell of the building but retaining the historic frontage the project will ensure the site, opposite the town's train station, welcomes visitors to Lanark without compromising the town centre's historic character and while still delivering modern, cosy homes.

Chair of South Lanarkshire Community and Enterprise Resources Councillor John Anderson said: "Whilst disruption during the construction period is regrettable, this exciting new development removes a run-down and derelict building in a prime location.

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"It will provide much-needed homes, but more than that it will help bring new residents into the town centre. They in turn will add to the vibrancy of community life at the heart of Lanark and will support the local businesses providing goods and services right outside their own front door."

The project has secured funding through the Scottish Government's Town Centre Regeneration Fund and has been developed through a partnership involving South Lanarkshire Council, Lanark Community Development Trust and Clyde Valley Housing Association, and the developer Burgess Homes.

The impact of the pandemic was an additional challenge, added to the complexity of developing an historic site in such a busy location, as well as the supply chain issues that have been experienced by much of the construction industry throughout the UK.

Construction work is now scheduled to get underway on site early in January 2022.

In order to accommodate the works a road traffic order closing Woodstock Road will remain in place until 31 May 2022.

The road will, however, be reopened to one way traffic as soon as it is possible, and of course safe, to do so. The road closure was put in place to allow the extensive scaffolding needed to safely secure the original frontage of the hotel.

All partners involved in the project would like to extend their apologies for the impact the essential road closure has had on traffic flow in Lanark town centre.