Greenspace improvements works at Lionthorn Bing in Falkirk are set to proceed after Green Action Trust (GAT) and Falkirk Council secured funding from the Scottish Government's new Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme.

GAT and the council secured over £560,000 towards the delivery of a large package of greenspace improvements in Falkirk, totalling close to £750,000.

The improvements will benefit an area of previously derelict land at Lionthorn Policy Bing and will include:

• Landscaping and plant growing (by installing a substantial new topsoil layer) to provide visual interest and shelter on this exposed site

• Creation of extensive meadow areas and 'nectar rich' bulb planting which will contribute to the creation of the 'John Muir Pollinator Way', Scotland's first B-Lines project.

• Native woodland planting

• Development of wetland 'scrapes' (seasonal ponds to encourage wildlife)

• Extra heavy standard trees – to provide immediate visual interest, structure, and amenity

• 'Edible' hedge planting to encourage wildlife and biodiversity

• 'Kick about' grass pitch

• Path link/access enhancements to improve the local active travel provision

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The Lionthorn Policy Bing project will deliver on a number of objectives of the wider Central Scotland Green Network (CSGN) and will be completed during spring/summer 2022.

Talking about the Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme, Scottish Government's Communities Minister Tom Arthur said: "Derelict sites can be a blight on communities and often hold back development. The five year, £50 million low carbon Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme is intended to have a transformational impact by investing in creating great places, regenerating communities, creating jobs and helping tackle climate change.

"I am delighted to see projects from the first round of funding, such as the greenspace improvements at Lionthorn Bing, progress. The project will bring significant community benefit and I look forward to seeing it once completed."

Commenting on the Lionthorn project, Cecil Meiklejohn, Leader of Falkirk Council said: "It's fantastic that this last phase of major greenspace improvements at this vacant and derelict site is going ahead. Council staff continue to work with our partners and agencies, and we thank all of the funders, particularly the Scottish Government's Vacant & Derelict Land Investment Programme for their support.

"We are very excited to be working with our partners, the Green Action Trust, to complete the regeneration of the long closed Policy Bing colliery site. On completion this will provide a tremendous new amenity park for the neighbouring communities of Lionthorn, Hallglen and Glen Village as well as helping to connect this area with the important habitats at Callendar Woods and South Falkirk allowing local wildlife to thrive."

Green Action Trust's CEO Derek Robertson commented: "We're delighted to be partnering with Falkirk Council to deliver the greenspace improvements at Lionthorn Bing. This is a great example of what can be achieved through partnership working and a shared ambition to improve the environmental quality of our towns. I look forward to seeing the plans come to fruition, which will deliver a valuable amenity for the local communities, as well as making a positive contribution to the aims of the wider Central Scotland Green Network."